Workplace Communication
Essay Preview: Workplace Communication
Report this essay
Workplace Communication
Brandy Kimmel
ENG/211
September 29, 2014
Janet Chappell
Workplace Communication
According to Conrad (2014), “without workplace communication, nothing would be accomplished” (p. 105). There are several forms of communication that take place in the workplace. E-mails, memos, letters, manuals, and websites are some of those forms of communication. Figure 1 shows a comparison of how to use these forms of writing in the workplace.
Figure 1.
Written communication method
Purpose in the workplace
Technical or expository writing
Why the classification was chosen
E-mail
Internal and external communications
Technical & Expository
E-mail is used for technical, occupational or personal communications.
Internal communication
Technical
Memos are typically technical or occupational based.
Letter
External/sensitive communication
Technical & Expository
Letters are much like e-mail and are used for technical, occupational or personal communications purposes.
Manual
Procedure documentation
Technical
Manuals are geared more towards technical and occupational communications.
Website
Internal and external informative communication
Technical & Expository
Websites are used to inform both consumers and employees and can be used for technical, occupational or personal communication.
Other
Internal and external communication
Expository
Instant messengers and similar forms of communication are used more for personal communication rather than technical or occupational communication.
Organizations often have policies stating which forms of writing are appropriate forms of communication between co-workers, as well as consumers. I worked for a major retail organization which uses several of the methods described in figure 1. E-mails were used for communication between in-house management, other stores in the retail chain, and corporate offices. Memos were used by management to communicate important details to employees. Letters were used to communicate certain information to employees and consumers such as; customer return information and employee benefit information. Manuals were used to relay policies and procedures needed for uniform working conditions. Websites were used for training employees and updating consumers on product information. Out of all the methods of communication used within this retail organization, neither technical nor expository writing is used any more