New report reveals the state of open communication in workplaces
Despite high confidence among organisations, less than half of employees feel comfortable talking about their personal issues with their supervisor.
This is according to a new survey from the Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll, which surveyed 1,003 respondents in the United States.
It found that only 45% of the respondents feel comfortable discussing professional issues impacting work with a supervisor.
This also varied between generations, with boomers/seniors being less likely to feel comfortable (24%) than Gen Zs (46%), Millennials (53%), and Gen X (37%).
Another 16% of employees also said they don't feel they can speak candidly to anyone in the workplace about concerns or issues regarding their employer, according to the report.
"This survey shows each generation brings a unique communication style to the workplace, and it's important for management to adapt their approach and provide tailored training to ensure effective communication across all age groups," said Bill Stoller, Express Employment International CEO, in a statement.
Despite not being able to discuss personal issues that impact work, the majority of the respondents said they:
- Find it easy to set professional boundaries (80%)
- Receive constructive feedback from managers (76%)
- Can be upfront about issues with their supervisors (68%)
Culture of open communication
The findings come amid strong confidence among organisations that they are fostering a culture of open communication at work.
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According to the report, 86% of hiring managers believe their company has a safe and trusting environment that promotes honest communication.
Another 80% believe their business has the right systems and tools established to facilitate constructive criticism, while another 95% think employees can speak honestly about the company regarding their concerns or issues.
"Creating a culture of honesty is not just about encouraging transparency among employees; it's about equipping business leaders with the right tools and training to have open, honest conversations," Stoller said.