Unit 5. Communication at Work

Lead-in

Ex. 1. Imagine that you work in a big company. How effective are you as an employee? Take the following test to see how you rate as a model employee in your place of work. (Or just think of your behaviour at the potential job as similar to your current behaviour at the university.) Tick Yes or No after each question and then see the results.

Questionnaire: Are You a Model Employee?

1. Understanding Responsibilities

When a manager or supervisor asks you to do something, and you don’t understand, do you

(a) just get on with things and do your best? (b) ask a colleague what you’re meant to be doing? (c) ask your manager or supervisor about any aspects you don’t understand?

Yes O No O Yes O No O Yes O No O

2. Meetings (I)

At meetings, do you

(a) pay little attention? (b) listen closely? (c) take notes as necessary?

Yes O No O Yes O No O Yes O No O

3. Meetings (II)

If you have something you want to raise during the course of a meeting, do you

(a) fail to bring the matter up? (b) ask a colleague to raise the matter? (c) raise the matter yourself?

Yes O No O Yes O No O Yes O No O

4. General Workplace Communication

In the workplace, do you

(a) prefer celebrity or sports gossip to discussions about work? (b) walk in the opposite direction if your colleagues are discussing your team’s objectives? (c) listen with respect to people’s opinions about work-related issues?

Yes O No O Yes O No O Yes O No O

5. Regulations

Are you familiar with the following workplace regulations:

(a) fire safety? (b) health and safety?

Yes O No O Yes O No O

6. Purpose of Job

(a) Do you understand why your job is important to your employer? (b) Do you know what you and your immediate colleagues are trying to achieve at work?

Yes O No O Yes O No O

Answers

1. Understanding Responsibilities

If you answered (a) no; (b) no; (c) yes, award yourself a point for each correct answer (maximum three points).

Model employees must understand what managers or supervisors are asking them to do. Employers respect a member of staff who asks reasonable questions in order to tackle a job properly.

2. Meetings (i)

Award yourself a point for each of the following correct answers: (a) no; (b) yes; (c) yes (maximum three points).

No matter what the topic, you need to pay attention at meetings. If this proves difficult, and you feel a meeting has no clear direction or structure, speak to your supervisor or manager.

3. Meetings (ii)

Award yourself a point for each of the following correct answers: (a) no; (b) no; (c) yes (maximum three points).

Open communication at meetings is important for the success of a team and a company. Not everyone is confident about speaking up and making a contribution a meeting; but when you do so, your colleagues and your employer respect you for it.

If you are naturally reticent, and you have a point to make, ask your supervisor or manager before the meeting to raise it for you.

4. General Workplace Communication

Award yourself a point for each of the following correct answers: (a) no; (b) no; (c) yes (maximum three points).

There’s nothing wrong with ordinary gossip in the workplace because it can create a bond between staff; but discussions about work are more important.

5. Regulations

Award yourself a point for each of the following correct answers: (a) yes; (b) yes (maximum two points).

Every member of staff must ensure they’re familiar with workplace fire regulations, and health and safety regulations. If you don’t know them, you’re not showing a great deal of respect for your workplace, and the safety of yourself and your colleagues.

6. Purpose of Job

Award yourself a point for each of the following correct answers: (a) yes; (b) yes (maximum two points.)

You must understand the purpose of your job, and your place within an organisation. This is not just for the employer’s benefit, but for your own sense of belonging and job satisfaction.

Your Score

16 points: consider yourself a model employee – the sort of person an employer should be glad to have.

14-15 points: you’re not far from attaining model employee status. Nonetheless, you should check the questions you answered incorrectly, and ensure you understand why.

Fewer than 14 points: you have failed to reach model employee status. Perhaps you’re unhappy with your current role or workplace. Whatever the reason, give some thought to the questions and the correct answers; then ask yourself why you answered as you did. If you take the test again in the future, you may boost your score.

Ex. 2. Do you agree with what the results tell about you? Do you think your behaviour at work will be similar to your behaviour at the university? What things will change and what will remain the same?

Discuss these issues with your partner in terms of the following aspects:

• communication with colleagues / with groupmates

• relationship with the boss / with the dean

• attitude to job tasks / to homework

• attitude to money

• motivation

• time management

Reading and Vocabulary

Ex. 3. Read the text and find out whether the advice given by the text corresponds to the ideas you discussed above. Also, match the sub-headings (A-G) to the fragments (1-7) of the text.

A. Never blindside a coworker, boss, or reporting staff person.

B. Don't ever play the blame game.

C. Help other employees find their greatness.

D. Bring suggested solutions with the problems to the meeting table.

E. Share credit for accomplishments, ideas, and contributions.

F. Keep your commitments.

G. Your verbal and nonverbal communication matters.