1. What is the specific problem with communication?
I am the co-chair of the community partnership volunteer
committee at my work. It is a rewarding role but I and my co-
workers are not permitted to volunteer during business hours.
So, any time folks volunteer it has to be during their lunch
hour or after business hours. As such, it is challenging to get
co-workers to engage and participate in volunteering. Even
thought the organization funds the community partnership
initiatives, and wants employees to volunteer, employees do
not feel supported to do so. It's hard for this committee to be
effective and productive because of the confusing policy of the
organization.
2. Does the problem represent an example of one of
the barriers that the articles by Dr. Rani and Lumen
Learning identify? If so, which one(s)?
Yes, it is. This is an example of a communication barrier. As
co-chair of the Community Partnership Initiative I do not fully
understand why our employees are unable to give their time
to organization sanctioned volunteer opportunities.
3. What are some possible communication strategies in
notifying someone about the problem?
I could email the head of the People and Culture to see the
organizations charter, which I've heard outlines the limits to
employee volunteering. This has been mentioned to me
several times but no one seems to have seen this clause. I
could also reach our to the head of our Legal department to
meet with her and discuss the issue and allow her to explain
the charter rules to me. I would come prepared with an
agenda outlining the committee's concerns, and examples
from employees where they did not feel supported in
volunteerism.
