Employees now voice woes on the Net
WHEN employees want to whine and complain about their job or have anything against their boss or do not like a colleague, where do they vent their complaints? Though sharing their woes with others during lunchtime or airing their frustrations to a colleague over a cup of coffee are the usual options, employees today are complaining in cyberspace.
The Internet is a choice option of employees when it comes to venting frustration and anger with employers because it allows them to do this without the fear of being found out. Along with the advantage of anonymity, the Internet helps them connect with others who feel the same way and share their views on professional setbacks in cyberspace. So whether it is the loss of an anticipated promotion to harassment from the boss or the annoying habits of a co-worker everything finds expression on message boards or blog sites on the Internet. The use of this platform is becoming popular with employees all over the world and they even get sympathetic responses from others.
The messages posted on cyberspace provide a safe haven for employees to rave and rant but at the same time it can prove to be a major cause of tension for employers.
For them it is bad publicity and one they can very well do without because when employees are expressing their unhappiness with the management and that too for all the world to read then this is negative publicity. Such messages can damage a carefully cultivated corporate image in a trice.
It is difficult for employers to track the source of these messages; it could be their own employee with a score to settle or someone from a rival company trying to ruin their reputation.
This makes it all the more frustrating for companies because when they are not sure of the source they find it difficult to make a counter-attack. Some companies do resort to legal action and claim libel damages but the cyber laws on this issue are still vague.
In such a situation a more pro-active approach by the management for damage control is called for. As an initial step they can address the issues that are featured in these blog postings and find ways to mitigate employee dissent and solve their problems.
Another move by certain companies has been to set up an anonymous message board on their intranet to allow employees to voice their grievances without any fear of it backfiring against them.
Some companies are encouraging their managers to participate in the discussions on these blog sites and address any issues relating to the company on these boards.
The participation of the senior managers in these blog sites helps them get a clear understanding of the real issues troubling employees. Instead of getting on the defensive, the managers should use this as an opportunity to clear misunderstandings and tell the truth and address issues effectively.
The crux of the matter is managers have to be honest because today's smart employees can easily detect lying or covering up of facts. This will help the management gain the respect of employees.
When employees vent their frustrations on the Internet, the management must find the best way to handle the situation. Ultimately the management moves should urge employees to send bouquets rather than brickbats and maybe then the blog sites will actually see a lot of complimentary messages posted.
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