Contemporary practical and legal guidelines for written employer-employee communication

Given the favorable support for organized labor by the government, understanding the legal ramifications of written documents is important. In this paper, the authors review the more significant ways organizations communicate with employees in writing, and provide some current practical guidelines managers can follow to prepare communications that are more effective and more positive. Where appropriate, the legal implications of poorly written communication are addressed and guidelines are provided based on current legal trends. The author noted that nothing in this article should be construed as legal advice, and that employers should seek the advice of a knowledgeable attorney when attempting to resolve potential legal issues associated with any type of employee communication.