Chapter 7 presents several mechanisms used to capture and collect employee voice and dissent. These vary in how they operate and what they are able to accomplish.

There are several features of voice mechanisms that make them more or less viable and effective. Essentially, the viability and efficacy of a voice mechanism relies upon the intersection of four qualities (see Figure 7.4):

• confidentiality
• safety
• authenticity
• consistency

Select one of the videos from the supplemental materials for this unit to assess the efficacy and viability of the open door policies portrayed.

Thus, you analysis should draw a conclusion about the overall efficacy and viability of the open door policy based upon an assessment of the degree to which it:

• remained confidential
• afforded employee safety
• appeared authentic or trustworthy
• and was administered consistently

Supplemental Material

Attached Files:

• Good Communication Goes Beyond Open Door Policies.pdf (381 KB)

There are several video links here that illustrate some of the problems with voice mechanisms, in particular open door policies.

The first is a short video produced by the Communications Workers of America called What Good is an Open Door Policy if You Get Locked Out When You Try to Use It?. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hgl_TEbJzY8It profiles the experiences of several employees and the failure of the open door policy in their organization. Another clip filmed by the Workers Support Committee at Pomona College entitled Problems with the Open Door Policy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2h4mnqEqG4reveals the concerns that employees voiced at a Town Hall Meeting.

A final video while humorous in nature, speaks to the need to use Candy Bowl Management http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtctsfGCXcY. Listen closely as there is a very good reason for managers who maintain an open door policy to have a candy bowl available.

Provide your response below (use as much space as necessary):

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