Which term describes the flow of information from staff to management?

• A. Downward Communication
• B. Horizontal Communication
• C. Upward Communication
• D. External Communication

Answer: (C)

The flow of information from staff to management is upward communication. This direction is used when employees share feedback, reports, concerns, or data with supervisors and higher-level leaders. It helps management understand what’s happening on the ground, identify problems, and make informed decisions or adjustments to policies, processes, or resource allocation. For example, a staff member might report a payroll discrepancy, provide observations about a workflow bottleneck, or suggest an improvement that could affect how work is done. Upward communication is essential for closing the loop between those who execute tasks and those who oversee and plan.

In contrast, downward communication is management to staff, sharing policies, instructions, and goals. Horizontal communication happens between colleagues at the same level to coordinate work, while external communication involves interactions with people outside the organization, such as vendors or regulators.

So, when information travels from staff up to management, that direction is upward communication.