FINAL WORD
climate in the organisation . Larger corporations , therefore , need to work hard to replicate this through the numerous line managers they employ and who are responsible for fostering voice within their teams .
These line managers also need to be continuously monitored with respect to how they are delivering their people objectives . Global corporations have sophisticated HR functions , and with the drive towards HR analytics , it would be unlikely that there are any corporations out there unable to provide workforce insights to each manager on issues such as engagement , labour turnover , grievances and sickness absence . Putting this information in their hands would not only help them improve their practice but would also ensure they are held accountable when their people objectives are not met .
A joint responsibility
Beyond organisational inadequacies in managing voice , one can also see how the statement ‘ bringing your true self to work ’ may have been misunderstood by employees . Many employees have taken this to mean that they have carte blanche to express themselves when they wish and how they wish . Yet , this is not what employee voice is about . Having the right , and being actively encouraged by your employer , to voice ideas or concerns at work does not mean that you can do this without any boundaries in the content , manner and timing of your expression . In fact , the many individual and collective voice avenues that exist do exactly that ; they set the form and agenda of communication .
What employees need to recognise is that the workplace is a professional setting with clear boundaries around expected behaviours that the organisation itself sets . Most organisations also have processes in place ( such as performance management or disciplinary and grievance procedures ) to deal with any unwanted behaviours . These rules of conduct are something to which employees legally agree , whether explicitly stipulated or not , when they sign their employment contract . Such rules also apply to the way employees choose to amplify their voice at work .
Responsibility for effective expression of voice at work is something that must be shared by both global corporations and their employees . Getting it right is important – but it is a two-way street . x
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