>Home>On the bench>Change communication

Subject: Briefing update #3
From: Communication Team
To: All staff
Sent: 01/04/06
Retention period: 2
Security level: 1

Following the unprecedented chaos from the previous series of reorganisations – firstly to product, then to geography and finally to market-driven structures, it has been decided at corporate level that in future, such changes will only be implemented at a frequency exceeding staff ability to assimilate them.

This notice is to advise you of the next restructuring, which should have taken place three weeks ago but has been delayed by staff interviews for positions within the previous organisation.

Applications for posts within this new structure (to be announced) must have been received by the Economy Manager (to be appointed) at some Head Office location (yet to be determined) one week ago.

In keeping with this revolutionary approach to job insecurity, the company has decided to consolidate responsibility for the generation of all rumours to a single Head Office department.

This will ensure that each staff member is provided with as many conflicting views as possible of the company strategy. It will also avoid previous unconfirmed reports that several people hear identical rumours.

Performance targets will be established for the organisation and the key task will be selected on a weekly basis by drawing a single objective from a hat (colour and size yet to be determined). For example, the key factor this week could be black, six and seven-eighths.

If you have been allocated a post in the revised structure this is probably a mistake but you will be approached in the next few weeks by your new manager.

They will be a complete stranger to you and will make themselves known by the use of a password, which for the sake of confidentiality is known only to them.

Rumours that Regional Headquarters premises are to be sold and converted into an egg-packing station are totally unfounded and not to be confirmed until January 2005.

To keep you abreast of the new organisation, a blank chart is provided with the tree structure defined, together with plenty of space to enter individuals' names. Please update this as jobs are allocated. Do NOT write your own name.

It is intended that a member of Personnel will visit the department for half an hour some time in the next six months.

This person will be recognisable immediately because they will be smiling - a picture of a smile is available from reception. It is not recommended that you approach this person and say: “You are Chalky White and I claim a full redundancy package.”

To summarise:

• It's going to happen
• It's not determined to whom
• It's not certain by whom
• Don’t ask why
• You'll be briefed after it has