German term
German-to-English technical translator
Native in: English (Variants: US, British)
Works in: German to English
[...] bis in die unterste Ebene, kommen nicht mehr mit.
"In den obersten Ebenen werden die Strukturen geschaffen, die operativen Bereiche, bis in die unterste Ebene, kommen nicht mehr mit."
It is a response to an internal survey of employees at a large group of manufacturing companies operating under a parent company which is making some changes. There is the sense that decisions being made at the top don't percolate down the the reality on the ground. But what exactly is it that doesn't come along ("kommen nicht mehr mit")? Does the writer mean operative areas ("operative bereiche") as part of management or part of the lower levels?
Any insight would be much appreciated.
Jun 17, 2019 22:45: Johanna Timm, PhD changed "Level" from "Non-PRO" to "PRO"
PRO (3): Steffen Walter, Ramey Rieger (X), Johanna Timm, PhD
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Proposed translations
United Kingdom
are not able to keep up
At the top they come up with [ideas for new] structures but the operative and lower levels are not able to keep up [with the changes].
Germany
Getting language to you
Native in: German 
Works in: English to German, German to English, French to German
....don't come across to the lowest level
As I understand the sentence, decisions are taken at the top level of a company however, they do not come across to the lowest level.
haven't got a clue.
(Freely) Decision-makers decide how things should work, but the rest of the employees haven't got a clue.
Australia
Translator with Ph.D. in engineering.
Native in: English (Variants: British, UK, Australian, New Zealand, Singaporean, Canadian, US)
Works in: German to English, Indonesian to English, English
[...] (all the way) down to the lowest level, are left behind.
* "haven't got a clue" reflects quite negatively on the operations staff (down to the lowest level)
* "are not able to keep up" is ambivalent, but for me reflects more negatively on the operations staff (down to the lowest level)
* "don't come across" is fairly neutral, but for me reflects more negatively on the executive staff making the decisions
* "are left behind" reflects more negatively on the executive staff making the decisions, in the sense of an obligation on managers to "bring their staff with them".
"This session will explore the ways in which you can overcome these barriers, helping you begin to formulate a plan for inclusion in your organisation and how you can bring your staff with you on this journey."
https://www.stonewall.org.uk/scotland-workplace-conference-p...
"Automation is positive, bring your staff with you, let them be advocates, let them be champions."
https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/about-us/ca-catalyst...
So maybe yet another alternative would be:
"[...] (all the way) down to the lowest level, are not brought along."
which likewise emphasises the responsibility of the executives that has not been met.
This latter formulation also offers the option to explicitly translate "mehr":
"[...] (all the way) down to the lowest level, are no longer brought along."
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