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8.12 Internal communications

Principles

Internal communications supports the achievement of organisational goals by:

  • creating a positive organisational climate where feelings of trust, awareness, openness, security, involvement and confidence predominate, particularly between the executive group, managers and employees
  • articulating the organisation’s vision and objectives
  • establishing two-way communication channels
  • recognising and celebrating staff innovation and achievements
  • enhancing employee engagement.

Effective internal communications is a shared management responsibility that requires support from the entire management team.

Employees who are thoroughly engaged in the life of their organisation can be valuable allies in external communications - helping to inform the public, professional colleagues and prospective employees about the Government or individual agencies.

Policy requirements

When undertaking internal communications to foster an engaged workforce it is recommended that agencies:

  • develop and implement strategies that:
  • encourage proactive and interactive communications throughout the organisation
  • recognise the contribution of staff (and volunteers) to service delivery and to meeting business objectives
  • enable the two-way exchange of information
  • establish clear processes and channels for communicating with employees
  • are regularly evaluated and reviewed.
  • communicate with employees openly, frequently and, where possible, before or at the same time as information is communicated to the public, or as soon as possible thereafter
  • remind employees of their obligations under the Tasmanian State Service Principles and Code of Conduct, and Ministerial Direction No. 10 of 2003 (Internet and email use by State Service officers and employees) when encouraging information sharing and discussion with colleagues through internal communications channels.

Information sharing within agencies contains some privacy and security risks. Confidential and sensitive information, including information or documents communicated electronically, must be handled according to the agency’s security arrangements, the Personal Information Protection Act 2004, the Archives Act 1983 and the Right to Information Act 2009.