This document presents a case study of a communication breakdown between management and labor union at M/s. Gozazi Oil and Gas Company Limited that led to a strike in November 2012. The strike was over issues regarding wages, discrimination, and working conditions. The objective is to identify factors that caused the communication problem and propose strategies to prevent future issues. Communication barriers identified included a complex leadership structure, lack of transparency about company decisions, use of different ID badges that created a discriminatory mindset, and failure to ensure messages were not perceived as offensive. The document recommends using communication theories and applying an organizational communication audit to address issues and make the communication process more effective.

1. A CASE STUDY OF WORKPLACE
COMMUNICATION PROBLEM:
STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION TO MAKE
THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS MORE
EFFECTIVE.
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2. Background Information
No to
oppression’
Enough of low pay
Say no to
discrimination
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The strike occurred at M/s. Gozazi Oil and Gas Company Limited in in November 2012..
At about 9:00am: Demonstration with following slogans/Sign Boards:

3. Impacts of strike on Gozazi
Social- Loss of publicity, because workers interact with the customers more often, and the
public can easily feel the impact of their agitations.
Economic-
Absence of fuel and gas for vehicles, generators, gas turbines and other domestic use, &
-can ground the Nigerian economy for days.
Reputation- Negative impact on the company’s reputation.
Legal-The company will have litigations to settle as per law if this case goes to
court
-Loss of thousands of dollars from loss of working hours,
-Delays in delivery fines, and
-The cost of hiring new employees should many decide to resign.
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4. Objective of the Case Study
To propose strategies to avert the occurrence of issues of this
nature in future.
It will also focus on the ethical communication issues involved,
and finally proffer some solutions
To identify the factors that caused the communication
breakdown between management and labor union by using
theories and models of organizational communication.
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5. Gozazi’s remuneration status
The company’s position on remuneration being against the 1951 law of Equal
Remuneration Convention of the International Labor Organizations (ILO, 1951).
It is believed that the reason for discriminations in the workplace is the flaw in the
Nigerian constitutional labour laws and this strike action could be seen as enlightening
the public on workplace discriminatory remuneration and condition of service.
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6. Analysis of the situation
There were some issues going on among the workers, mainly :
Payment Issues
Wages Issue
Various issues related to Contractual Workers,
casual workers and service contract Vs Dept.
Workers (directly hired by the company
Discrimination/Harassment at Psychological
level.
Contractual employees want a comparative
recognition
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7. But, had the communication styles in the company any role in the
strike?? (Let’s find out, which would be the objective of the case
study).
Communication Theories and Principles:
Many communication theories and principles are available now, but Psychological fields such
as
Other psychological fields that will also be referred to in this work will include
-Adlerian Psychology (AP) &
-Appreciative Inquiry (AI).
Organizational
Communication
Audit
Positive
Psychology
Organizational
Decision Making
Process
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8. Goals of communication include
to be heard
to be in control
to win or convince others
to build rapport
to solve a problem
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9. Communication types
Research has also shown that decision communication styles include:
‘Partnering and Problem solving’
‘Emotional and Manipulative’,
‘Aggressive and Urgent’
‘Proactive and Assertive’
‘Direct and Clear’
‘Avoidant and Appeasing’
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10. Communication Barriers in the M/s.
Gozazi Oil and Gas Company Limited…
The hierarchical and complex nature of the company’s leadership structure created many
problems in the company.
 Dissatisfied with the existing communication pattern some employees are often kept in the dark
about the Company decisions.
Ethical Components have influenced the communication process :discrimination and bullying in
the workplace
The use of different ID cards has created an offensive discriminatory mind-set among the staff.
This is against the ethics of organizational communication that states that the conveyed message
should not be seen as offensive by the receiver.
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11. How communication failed the company
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12. Communication Media Choice:…
Communicating decisions requires a suitable communication media choice.
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13. Using psychological theories and models, likely communication barriers were identified, and
solutions proffered.
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Suggestion to the Gozazi Ltd:…

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Suggestion to the Gozazi Ltd

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