What issues can arise in workplace communication?
Workplace reform has put more emphasis on teamwork, liaison, using information technology, multiskilling, performance management and training. All these demand an increase in the quality of communication skills of staff in the Public Sector. Good or bad, workplace communication involves everybody in the agency, and everybody has a role in developing and improving it. Too often, English language skill is the only communication issue considered within the context of cultural diversity. The broader issue of everyone’s inter-cultural competencies and of the responsibility of the agency to develop this is often not addressed. Around 25% of the community in NSW speak languages other than English. In day-to-day dealings in a multicultural society, Public Sector agencies are required to respond to the diversity of languages that exist. Language barriers and cultural misunderstandings can get in the way of effective communication and create complexities in the workplace, including problems with
