To determine the effectiveness of upward communication programs within nonindustrial companies in the United States, a study was devised that examined the ways in which top management and employees communicate. Of the 130 respondents to a survey of 300 top nonindustrial companies, 62 companies acknowledged that they maintained some type of upward communication program. Responses to a second survey regarding the programs' effectiveness revealed the following results: the median number of years of operation was three years, a high concentration of such programs occurred in the life insurance and commercial banking industries, most of the programs involved the services of a designated director who was responsible for taking employee concerns to management and obtaining a reply, most directors felt that employees opinions had little effect on management decisions, and employees tended to be less supportive of such programs than the directors were. This last condition was attributed to slow responses to employee questions, lack of publication regarding sensitive issues, and lack of follow up after management-promised action. (Author/MAI)