What Are The Top Communication Issues In The Workplace And How Can You Solve Them?

Navigating employee communication can be tricky, especially when dealing with non-desk workers. HR managers face a myriad of unique employee communication challenges and barriers for this type of workforce. Let’s explore effective methods and solutions to ensure clear and consistent communication with your entire team.

What Are the Top Employee Communication Problems With Examples?

Effective communication is crucial for a productive work environment, yet several common problems can hinder this, especially for non-desk workers. As HR managers, it’s important to identify and address these issues to improve overall communication and engagement. Let’s take a look at a few communication problems—and solutions—for non-desk workers: 

Limited Access to Communication Tools

• Problem: Non-desk workers often lack access to traditional communication tools such as email or intranet systems. This can lead to important information being missed or delayed.
• Example: In a manufacturing plant, workers on the floor may not receive timely updates about new safety protocols because they do not have regular access to email. This can result in unsafe working conditions and compliance issues.
• Solution: Implement a mobile-friendly communication platform like Yourco, which uses SMS to ensure all employees receive timely updates directly on their phones.

Language Barriers

• Problem: In diverse workplaces, language barriers can cause misunderstandings and miscommunications. This is particularly challenging in industries with a high proportion of non-native speakers.
• Example: In agriculture, a crew of workers who speak different languages might misunderstand instructions about pesticide application, leading to incorrect usage and potential health hazards.
• Solution: Use Yourco’s translation feature to automatically translate messages into the recipient’s preferred language, ensuring clarity and understanding for all employees.

Inconsistent Communication

• Problem: When communication is irregular or inconsistent, non-desk workers can feel disconnected from your company. This can result in lower engagement and higher turnover.
• Example: Retail employees might receive sporadic updates about new product launches or sales promotions, leading to confusion and reduced effectiveness in customer interactions.
• Solution: Establish a regular communication schedule using Yourco’s group messaging and notification features to keep all employees consistently informed and engaged.

Information Overload

• Problem: Non-desk workers often deal with information overload, especially when important messages are buried among less relevant updates. This can cause essential information to be overlooked.
• Example: In the transportation industry, drivers might miss critical updates about route changes if these messages are mixed with less urgent notifications.
• Solution: Prioritize and streamline communications by using targeted messaging features in Yourco to ensure that only relevant and important information is sent to the right employees.

Lack of Feedback Mechanisms

• Problem: Without effective feedback mechanisms, non-desk workers may feel their voices are unheard, leading to dissatisfaction and disengagement.
• Example: Construction workers may have valuable insights about on-site safety issues but lack a straightforward way to communicate these concerns to management.
• Solution: Utilize Yourco’s polling and survey features to gather feedback from non-desk workers regularly, making it easy for them to share their thoughts and for HR to address their concerns promptly.

What Are the Major Barriers To Effective Employee Communication?

These communication problems happen due to barriers like: 

• Physical distance where non-desk workers are physically divided from the resources that office-based employees have. 
• Language and cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations in diverse workplaces. 
• Technology barriers arise when employees are unfamiliar with or lack access to the necessary communication platforms, exacerbating communication gaps.
• Emotional blocks like mistrust, fear, and stress can prevent open and honest communication.
• Organizational structure, like strict hierarchies and rigid policies can stifle the flow of information, making it difficult for employees to communicate across different levels of the company. 

Addressing these barriers involves implementing accessible communication tools like Yourco, promoting a culture of openness, providing training for cultural competence, and ensuring regular, clear, and consistent communication practices.

What Are 5 Methods of Employee Communication in the Workplace?

When considering which methods of employee communication to use, it’s important to consider how non-desk workers will engage with them. Let’s take a look at the top five methods and see what the pros and cons are for non-desk workers: 

Email remains a staple for business communication, especially for detailed, non-urgent information.

• Pros for non-desk workers: Provides detailed documentation and can be accessed when convenient.
• Cons for non-desk workers: Non-desk workers often lack regular access to email, leading to delays in receiving important information.

Instant Messaging platforms can facilitate quick, real-time communication.

• Pros for non-desk workers: Allows for immediate updates and quick questions.
• Cons for non-desk workers: Requires a smartphone or computer with internet access, which non-desk workers may not always have available.

Face-to-Face Meetings are excellent for complex discussions, team collaboration, and building relationships.

• Pros for non-desk workers: Enables immediate interaction and feedback, which is crucial for complex tasks and team cohesion.
• Cons for non-desk workers: Scheduling can be challenging, especially for workers in different locations or shifts.

Intranet and Internal Platforms are centralized hubs for information, supporting company news, resources, and collaborative tools.

• Pros for non-desk workers: Provides a comprehensive resource for company information and updates.
• Cons for non-desk workers: Accessibility can be an issue if workers do not have regular access to computers or the internet.

Text Messaging is highly effective for reaching non-desk workers directly on their mobile phones.

• Pros for non-desk workers: Immediate and direct communication that can be accessed anywhere, ensuring timely updates and instructions.
• Cons for non-desk workers: May be limited by message length. 

How Can We Solve Poor Communication in the Workplace?

Solving poor employee communication in the workplace requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses the various barriers and challenges employees face. Here are some strategies to improve communication:

Assess and Upgrade Communication Tools

• Implement modern communication platforms that are accessible to both desk and non-desk workers, like Yourco’s SMS messaging system.Ensure that these tools support multiple languages to overcome language barriers.

Promote a Culture of Open Communication

• Encourage transparency and open dialogue at all levels of the organization.Create an environment where employees feel safe to express their ideas, concerns, and feedback without fear of retribution.

Provide Regular Training and Support

• Offer training sessions to help employees effectively use communication tools and understand company communication policies.Provide ongoing support and resources to help employees develop strong communication skills.
  

Ready to revamp your employee communication? Excited to create an inclusive workplace with a culture of belonging? Contact us to set up a demo, or try it out for free today to see the impact that the right workplace communication solution can have on your non-desk workers.