Informal Communication and Job Satisfaction

• In Event: Organizational Communication Research Escalator - Extended Session

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to consider the frequency of informal communication in the workplace and how it relates to job satisfaction. Many researchers have explored how friendships form in the workplace (Raile, et. al., 2008; Feely, Hwang, & Barnett, 2008), but have overlooked the frequency of informal communication in the workplace and how it impacts job satisfaction. However, communication between superiors and employees has an integral role on the amount of job satisfaction that is experienced, as how superiors communicate more greatly impacts employee job satisfaction than their leadership style (Madlock, 2008). As significant evidence exists which supports the importance of informal communication in the workplace, but no studies have yet to focus on this aspect of organizational communication, this study will build important connections between interpersonal and organization communication by examining the informal facet of communication in the workplace between superior-employee relationships and co-worker relationships.

Author

• Lucas Youngvorst, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities