Workplace Communication Overview

Communication for Work Purposes Overview

• Communication in work involves employees or workers exchanging ideas, information, or messages within a professional or organizational context.
• Common workplace communication methods include emails, text messages, voicemails, notes, and face-to-face meetings.

Types of Workplace Communication

• Verbal Communication: Presenting thoughts and conveying messages using words. An example is a manager providing constructive criticism about employee performance in a meeting.
• Nonverbal Communication: Transferring information through body language, facial expressions, gestures, and more. Eye contact, appropriate posture, smiling and focusing on the employer are examples.
• Visual Communication: Using visual elements (data, graphs, presentations) to get a message across, inspire change, or evoke emotions. Presenting sales data via graphs is an example.
• Written Communication: Any message using written words. An example is a secretary writing meeting minutes.

Organizational Communication

• Organizational communication refers to written communication that occurs between people working towards common goals within an organization.
• Communication can be internal or external. Internal communication happens within the organization, while external communication involves interactions between organizational members and external parties.

Minutes of the Meeting

• Minutes are notes recorded during a meeting.
• They capture key issues discussed, motions, proposed actions, and activities to be undertaken.
• Typically taken by a designated member of the group.
• Elements include time, date, location, participants, topics discussed, motions/voting, and next meeting details.

Memorandum

• A short written report used to inform or provide information within an organization.
• Typically used for addressing specific issues.
• Memos have a structure with a header (To, From, Date, Subject) and a main body that explains the purpose, provides information, and potentially includes recommendations.

Routine Request

• Short messages related to routine business matters.
• Individuals, professionals, or business people can make straightforward requests related to routine matters.
• The addressee could be a colleague, subordinate, higher officer, business fellow, customer, supplier, or banker.

Incident Reports

• Documents used in workplaces, schools, or organizations to detail unexpected incidents or accidents causing harm or damage.
• Reports contain information like who was involved, what happened, when it happened, where it happened, what caused the event, and any relevant details.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• A comprehensive statement detailing background, career, educational background, and experience.
• A CV serves as credentials for a job applicant.
• Typical components include contact information, academic history, work experience, technical/human skills, achievements, professional associations, published works, and references.