OPEN DOOR POLICY- The Savvy Term To Foster Mutual Understanding

Open Door Policy is a management process where every single employee in an organisation can gain access to senior executives without being deterred by any layer of bureaucracy. It is a statement that management is always accessible to the workforce.

The role of an Open Door Policy is to foster healthy interaction between employees and senior staff like chairman, chief executive officer or managing director and positive ambiance at the workplace.

The Open Door Policy components include

• To whom should the employee approach before disturbing the management and taking advantage of an open door policy
• To whom should he approach if his direct supervisor is unable to resolve the issue
• The rationale behind the policy

The elements of the Open Door Policy include

• Asking for counsel
• Expressing concern
• Raising an issue
• Asking relevant question
• Conflict resolution
• Making suggestions

How open door policy works?

The Open Door Policy is adopted by organisations to develop a feeling of trust, camaraderie, and connection. From an employee’s viewpoint, it encourages guidance, assistance, and feedback about issues that matter.

From the view-point of management, it keeps them in the loop so that they are aware of internal issues and happenings and can make changes accordingly.

Open door policy is implemented to promote transparency, increase faster communication and boost productivity. Take the following steps if you are trying to make your Open Door Policy work

1. Set parameters

The concept of an Open Door Policy is excellent but if that leaves the manager susceptible to interruptions at every minute then how is he going to complete his work. It is essential that the manager is accessible to his employees but make sure that they understand that it is for meaningful discussions and not idle chit-chat or small things that they can themselves solve.

2. Listening attentively

An Open Door Policy works only when the employee is allowed to speak freely without fear of interruptions or repercussions. Make sure that the manager is listening carefully to what the employee is saying. Keep the phone on silent mode so that he can speak without interruptions.

3. Understand the value of time

An Open Door Policy works if everyone is aware of how precious time is and keeps the interruptions to a bare minimum. It is important to let everyone know that endless interruptions will compromise management’s productivity.

4. Offer help

In case most of the employees need help and guidance then it is better to take the help of human resources to provide significant personal support

5. Be unbiased

If you are interested in promoting an Open Door Policy make sure that you remain biased and are not favoring one employee over other

Benefits of an open-door policy

he benefits of an Open Door Policy are as follows-

• An Open Door Policy facilitates open communication between management and employees.
• The management offers moral support to the employees in times of crisis. The employees are aware that someone has their back and it boosts their self-confidence and increases efficiency levels
• Open Door Policy boosts, the loyalty of employees towards their organisation
• Chances of confusion and error decrease when there is direct interaction between employees and managers
• It resolves disputes before it can escalate
• Open Door Policyincreases the flow of information
• When an employee knows that the management is available 24*7 they feel motivated and strive hard to live up to the expectation of the managers
• It is easy to discuss ideas, offer suggestions, have brainstorming sessions, have healthy discussions and find innovative solutions because of an open-door policy
• The Open Door Policy encourages mutual respect
• It is more comfortable to ask for help and find better clarity in case of doubts
• Addressing concerns promptly
• The Open Door Policy supports better output
• It creates a welcoming and transparent work atmosphere
• The employees do not crib about feedback as they do not fear repercussions
• Encourages employee empowerment because the employees know that their voice is heard and issues will be looked at and resolved quickly

What happens if an open-door-policy is broken?

• If an employee needs to talk and the management is busy or is rarely available then obviously the actual purpose of an Open Door Policy is broken. This will cause the employees to become de-motivated
• Sometimes employees and management start too much of socializing. Over-sharing can encourage a feeling of favoritism that is harmful to work culture
• If subordinates start running for small things to the management they will neither become independent nor will be able to handle any decision-making. When the Open Door Policy is broken it will ultimately result in inefficiency and loss of productivity
• When an Open Door Policy is broken the employees may find it difficult to speak up and bring forth their issues
• In most cases, the manager or supervisor isolates themselves from other employees when an Open Door Policy is broken
• It becomes difficult to address the problems related to employee performance
• Lack of discussion can hurt employee morale and engagement
• There is an increase in employee turnover and a decrease in efficiency and productivity

Why you need an Open Door Policy?

Essential reasons for encouraging an Open Door Policy at the workplace are as follows-

1. It encourages accessibility

2. It offers access to information

3. It encourages open communication

4. It promotes trust

"Closed-door activities build a formal relationship, whereas an Open-Door-Policy is seen as a real attempt to create harmony and trust.