Original Date: 07/21/2003
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

Electric Boat Corporation, Quonset Point Facility believes that a well-informed workforce leads to a more rewarding and safer workplace that nurtures creativity, rewards achievement, and is results-oriented.

Electric Boat Corporation, Quonset Point Facility (EBQP) recognizes the importance of having an effective communications program that serves as a tool for clearly disseminating announcements, updates, policies, and procedures throughout the facility. During its downsizing, the necessity to maintain the lines of communication for security and safety issues was crucial. However, the exchange of general information diminished due to resource constraints. With the rebuilding in recent years, EBQP re-established or created a number of effective communication mechanisms to meet the needs of a leaner, more diverse, and novice workforce.

Living up to its mission statement, “Through a strategic communications plan, we strive to keep our employees informed with valuable information that contributes to their quality of worklife,” EBQP implemented several communication tools to keep the flow of information between the company and the employees a two-way street. An open-door policy is in place with every manager throughout the facility to enable employees to share their ideas and concerns to improve the company as a whole. Employee events have been an excellent method of communicating with the workforce to increase morale. Morning musters keep all employees informed of time-critical information, while written publications offer an excellent method of recognizing employees for pro-active suggestions and changes to production efforts.

Several publications are written weekly, monthly, and quarterly to acknowledge the efforts of employees and employee teams, share business information, and keep everyone informed of the successes and potential struggles of the business. Some of these publications are mailed directly to employees’ homes while others are made available at several locations throughout the facility. The weekly publication offers articles on issues such as safety, quality, road construction detours, community events, recreation opportunities, reports, and company lean event accomplishments. Each newsletter contains safety issues with a sign-in sheet that the production floor supervisors use while conducting weekly stand-down meetings with all employees to ensure pertinent information has been communicated throughout the workforce. EBQP also recognized the importance of face-to-face communications. Four staff members from the Human Resources department spend at least 13 hours per week walking the production floor, talking with employees, and discussing issues and ideas to improve the company.

The Facility-Wide Communications program enables EBQP to keep its workforce informed on the latest information regarding security, safety, and general issues. By utilizing readily available technology and innovative methods, the company finds new ways to effectively communicate important points to its targeted audience an industrial workforce engaged in heavy fabrication and outfitting to very exacting specifications with critical safety and security requirements.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.