Think your company is having a tough time during this recession? So are your employees. And they're talking about it. Around the water cooler. In the hallways. At home.

If things in your organization are changing, if you're cutting back, if you're implementing new strategies, the grapevine is buzzing as people struggle to figure out what's happening around them and what might happen to them.

People need to vent when they're feeling vulnerable and stressed. In fact, it's good for them. But where and how they vent is important too. If they're only talking around the water cooler, they aren't necessarily getting the right information. In fact, it may actually be wrong. That can make them feel out of control. More stressed and anxious. They can become preoccupied, distracted and less productive.

During times of change and stress, employees need to know where the organization is going and why. They need to understand the company's short term goals so that they can focus on those goals instead of some kind of nebulous future. They need to talk -- to their bosses and their peers. But -- very importantly -- they need to talk from the position of having a solid foundation of information and understanding.

It's all about communication, communication, communication.

Organizations need to "formalize" communication about the business in ways that get the right information in front of employees -- not just with memos or speeches, but in sessions that allow for interacting, discussing, questioning and information processing. They need to update employees regularly, keeping changing strategies and circumstances in the forefront. And, they need to level with them about the realities of the business.

Managers need to be even more involved with employees than ever before. They need to step up their "management by walking around" activities. They need to bite the bullet and deal directly with employee emotions -- including fear and anger. They need to provide an open door for employees to walk through to talk about their issues and concerns.

These are not easy tasks for organizations or managers. But it's a whole lot better than the grapevine!