Organizational Communication

Types : Formal and Informal

Formal Communication
Refers to interchange of information officially
Also known as through proper channel communication
Formal relations may establish between managers and
employees
May take any of the forms; policy; manuals: procedures
and rule books; memoranda; official meeting; reports etc.

Informal Communication
A casual form of information sharing
Based on informal relations and free from all the
organizational formalities
Builds relations among staff members and volunteers
May occur for advice lines where people call in for help
for personal issues

Types of Formal Communication within a

Business
Vertical (Upward and Downward)

Diagonal
Horizontal

Vertical
Communication

Vertical communication occurs between hierarchically

positioned persons and can involve both downward and
upward communication flows.

Upward Communication

The upward communication can also be

called the bottom-up communication.

It is the flow of information from subordinates to managers all of

who work within the same organization.

Downward Communication
A downward communication is
defined as the type of
communication in which flow
of information in an organization comes from the top management
down to those at the lower levels in the organization or
establishment.

Diagonal Communication

A diagonal communication in an organization is the process

whereby the flow of information is between people who
work in different departments and are at different levels of
the organization.

Horizontal Communication

Horizontal communication is the transmission of

information between people, divisions, departments or
units within the same level of organizational hierarchy.
Effective use of horizontal communication in the
workplace can enhance both productivity and morale, as
well as offering a channel for resolving conflict.

(Rumors)
Grapevine communication can be defined as an informal
communication within the organization or establishment.
Grapevine communication is synonymous with rumors.

It is the process whereby a rumor or leaked information circulates among

workers within the organization. Information received through the
grapevine can either be true or false since it is mainly based on rumors.

Grapevine

Bypassing Channel of Communication

The bypassing channel of communication normally happens as a result of
either urgency or privacy of a particular piece of information being
delivered.

It happens when lower employees bypass middle managers and

communicate directly with a higher level manager or vice versa.