Informal communication includes free and frank communication between people who share a casual relation with each other. Informal communication requires two people who have similar backgrounds or understanding and so occurs between friends and family. Informal communication does not have any rigid rules and guidelines. Informal conversations need not necessarily have boundaries of time, place or even subjects since we all know that friendly chats with our loved ones can simply go on and on.
Even in organizations informal communication occurs. This communication has no structure; hence it is called grapevine (gossip) communication. People, who know each other in the organization, talk together informally. Either about their - work related or about other people.
When employees are not informed what is going on the organization, informal communication occurs. Usually personal information which is not generally communicated through formal channels is carried through grapevine channels.
Participants