                        Voicing Concerns

[]  This is a sample memorandum to reinforce your open door
policy and to encourage employee suggestions and communications.
Use this sample memo within the confines of your company policy
concerning official communications from management personnel.

[]  More specific information on employee suggestions is included
in the Employee Manual under "Grievances & Suggestions" in the
"Other Policies" section.


DATE:   XXX

TO:     All (Company) Employees

FROM:   XXX (Manager/Supervisor)

RE:     Voicing Concerns

If there is anything bothering you, I would like to hear about
it.  If you feel that any working condition, policy, practice, or
action by (Company) or by any member of management is unjust or
could be improved, you should tell me about it and we can discuss
the matter confidentially and in private.  If you decide to do
this, please stay in your workplace and contact me, or one of the
others I've listed below, before leaving.  We'll establish an
appropriate time and place to address your concern.

One of the most critical responsibilities of my job as your
manager is the consistent level of communications that I must
maintain with you, and I want you to know that I am available to
discuss ANY workplace concern, no matter how small, at your
convenience.

My office hours are XXX a.m. to XXX p.m. on weekdays.

If I'm not available, please feel free to discuss these issues
with:

    XXX (name)
    at XXX (phone number)
    between XXX a.m. to XXX p.m. (when they are available)
    XXX (location where they can be reached)

Or:

    XXX (name)
    at XXX (phone number)
    between XXX a.m. to XXX p.m. (when they are available)
    XXX (location where they can be reached)

I also realize that sometimes certain situations come up that are
so sensitive, it's tempting to either ignore them or keep them to
yourself.  Please don't.  Ignoring problems never makes them go
away -- they only get bigger and more costly!

Please put it in writing.

It makes a difference when you put your suggestion in writing --
your understanding of the situation and what you think the ideal
condition should be, as well as some ideas for achieving your
desired condition, will help me go to work for you.  Ask me for a
"Bright Idea" form to assist you with presenting your complaint
or proposed solution to a problem.  Explain the problem, the
desired condition and your proposed solution to the problem (it's
not necessary to have a solution, but I do need to know the
desired condition).  Please submit this completed form to me.

So, keeping the best interests of this company and all employees
in mind, I would like to encourage you to at least voice your
concerns to SOMEBODY -- another employee, perhaps, who can in
turn let me or someone in management know.  Or, if you prefer,
you can even relay those "touchy" situations to me at home up
until XXX p.m. most nights, or leave a message at XXX.

Each employee possesses his or her unique insight as to how their
department and this company should work.  And every insight
provides yet another valuable addition to our firm's
productivity.  As always, your ideas are encouraged and welcome
at any time.

Thanks in advance for your support.



XXX

