                            Voicing Concerns

[]  Should you choose not to implement a Peer Review program, use 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.

DATE:   [x]
TO:     All [Company] Employees
FROM:   [x] (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 [x] a.m. to [x] p.m. on weekdays.

If I'm not available, please feel free to discuss these issues with:
     [x] (name)
     at [x] (phone number)
     between [x] a.m. to [x] p.m. (when they are available)
     [x] (location where they can be reached)

Or:

     [x] (name)
     at [x] (phone number)
     between [x] a.m. to [x] p.m. (when they are available)
     [x] (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 [x] p.m. most nights, or leave a
message at [x].

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.


____________________________________
[x] (Manager/Supervisor)
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