Open Door Policy at Work

The term 'Open Door Policy' has been derived from the name of the treaty in 1899 between China and the US for facilitating free trade in the East. Open door policy at work helps in developing a congenial organizational culture which reduces the possibilities of any sort of communication gap between the subsequent hierarchies. This provides a very transparent construct within the company which assists in solving employee problems faster and more efficiently rather than piling on the pressure due to lack of inter-hierarchical communication. Moreover, employee satisfaction is optimum and greater productivity is achieved by fulfilling the workforce requirements. This technique facilitates effective organizational leadership and smooth functioning in the chain of command. Moreover, it enhances and honors the personal courage and problem solving skills of the employees.

How Does Open Door Policy Work
Open door policy at work requires equal contribution from all the echelons of the organizational pyramid. Each employee should be able to put his message across effectively without any intervention from his/her immediate authority. But there should be a justifiable limitation whereas the employee should make sure not to abuse this liberty by approaching an undesirably superior level of authority who would not be capable of entertaining his/her demands. For example, if a menial worker approaches the CEO of the firm to complain about his/her meager wage or any related issues, then it might be inappropriate because the CEO has been delegated to look after the managerial and architectural tasks of the company. However, the employees can openly communicate their problems to their immediate supervisors or managers. A lot of critics complain that this policy doesn't exactly help in promoting a transparent and accessible environment rather than bringing attention to the sloppiness of the handling force. If the employee faces some sort of difficulty and takes it over to his/her immediate manager, who in return, fails to formulate a feasible solution, then it is obvious that he has to advance to the subsequent manager. Moreover, it could highlight the lack of trust between the junior and the successive superior parties.

To minimize this inadequacy in communication, the organization should initially start grooming its managers and make them well-equipped in justifying their position. Additionally, the practice of open door policy in business would prove to be beneficial from both the ends. By doing this, the employees can solve their complications, and eventually allow their immediate managers to realize, and thus amend their shortcomings in handling the prevalent crisis. Hence, it is a win-win situation for everyone within the organization.

How To Implement Open Door Policy
So now, we have a fair idea about open door policy in the workplace. But there is still this question in our minds on how to implement this in day-to-day business practice. Here are a couple of handy ways which could be implemented to enhance the employee performance through employee motivation.

• Casual Conversations - If you are a manager then you would surely wish to know your team satisfaction by conducting impromptu employee surveys. Strike up a casual conversation with your junior peers and see whether they are satisfied with the management. Being a manager, you should happen to understand the slightest hesitance in them and try to probe further to unearth and rectify the issue.
• Be a Good Listener - The most crucial part before delving into any problem is understanding it. And how could you expect to solve it without actually listening to it precisely. Firstly, understand what the employee has to say, and eventually devise a rational solution.
• Felicitate on Achievement or Innovation - Employees are but humans. They constantly urge for that warm 'pat on the back' from their superior for the smallest accomplishments. Give them what they want with a generous token of appreciation or maybe a cheerful feedback. Sometimes, it can work better than money.
• Stay Tolerant to New Ideas - It has never been a rule of thumb that the manager has to be omniscient about each and every process which he/she has been deployed for. Remain open to new and innovative ideas from other employees because they might help in understanding their needs and improvising them.

Sometimes, some managers or authorities are vested with responsibilities of employee management which they are incapable of executing efficiently. In such cases, the employees should directly discuss the unresolved issue to the succeeding authority. If the situation worsens, then stricter action should be taken against the manager, and if necessary, replace him/her with someone who deserves to hold the position. Open door policy at work helps in building a harmonious and productive hierarchy, where every workforce level gets the opportunity to contribute in uplifting the communication standards within the organization.