Digital Communication Techniques Used for Employee Relations During Covid-19 Lockdown in Select Universities in Rivers and Bayelsa States

Abstract

This study examined the digital communication techniques used for employee relations during Covid-19 lockdown in select universities in Rivers and Bayelsa States. The objectives of the study were among others to find out digital communication techniques used in the universities in Rivers and Bayelsa States during Covid-19 lockdown in employee relations. The research design adopted in this study was the analytical descriptive survey design. The population of the study was 20,605 teaching staff and non-teaching staff of selected universities in Rivers and Bayelsa States. The sample size was 380 and 374 was used for analysis. The multi-stage sampling technique was used for the study to select the respondents. The instruments of this study were questionnaire and interview guide with reliability co-efficient of 0.78 determined, using Pearson formula and the data analysis was done using mean, standard deviation and rank order. Findings from the study revealed that digital remarks, asynchronous communication, communication consistent, clarity and brevity, making every message count, precise communication and continuous communication quality were the digital communication techniques employed in universities under study during Covid-19 lockdown in Rivers and Bayelsa States among others. The study summarised that technology is an essential tool to offer in employees’ relations because of its benefits such as delivery of timely information, enhancement of employee relations activities and empowerment, increase of organizational transparency. The study recommended that the universities should embrace digital communication techniques such as digital remarks, clarity and brevity, a synchronous communication which are positive and appropriate for employee relations during tough times as Covid-19 lockdown.

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