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In the past, workplace communication was referred to as internal communication as opposed to external communication. Workplace communication is always an interaction, communicating with others either face-to-face or, increasingly today, via digital technology. The aim is to make everyone in the organisation not only aware of something but also to understand it. This requires discussion, listening, asking questions and finding answers – together. Communication fosters a sense of community in the workplace, which in turn promotes well-being and engages individuals in the organisation. Also, productivity increases.
Workplace communication is part of organisational communication. It is risky to see it as a separate activity from the rest of workplace communication. This is perhaps best understood via crisis communication. When a workplace is faced with a crisis, the situation is communicated first to the workforce, then to stakeholders and finally to external parties. And who will admit that they have never accidentally sent an email or Whatsapp message intended for their own work community to someone outside the company, to another company or to an acquaintance on their contact list. It is, therefore, worthwhile conducting workplace communication as if it were external communication. That way, your employer’s reputation will be better preserved, even in the event of an accident.
Outlook, Zoom, Teams, Whatsapp, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and phone. The list includes ten commonly used communication tools or channels. Almost 95% of Finnish companies employ nine or fewer people. According to Statistics Finland’s 2020 statistics, they employ around 370,000 people. They, therefore, have more communication channels at their disposal than they have employees. It is clear from everyday experience that information may not reach everyone unless there is a joint agreement on which channel to use in each situation.
In the last issue of Telma in 2022, you can also get a perspective on the history of workplace communication by exploring the communication channel of yesteryear, tsuppari. I wish you all useful reading time with Telma and a safe rest of the year!
Kenneth Johansson
Managing Director, The Finnish Work Environment Fund
Schools are shared workplaces with employees from several employers. People at Havukoski School are constantly thinking about how to develop safety and ensure that messages are transferred effectively even in dangerous situations.
Improving occupational safety at a shared workplace requires cooperation, clear operating models and continuous monitoring.
Improving safety requires continuous risk assessment and effective communication. Monitoring by occupational safety and health authorities has revealed significant shortcomings in occupational safety and health at shared workplaces.
At the Meyer Turku shipyard, approximately 80 per cent of the production of cruise ships is subcontracted. Matti Tuimala, Safety Manager at the shipyard, explains how safety is ensured at the huge shared workplace.
