Engage employees through conversations instead of just posters.
Still relying on a bulletin board to share HR and employee benefits information with front-line workers? It’s definitely time to rethink your internal communications strategy and start getting more personal if you want your message to reach “un-wired” employees.
While posters and digital signs are “go to” internal communication to connect with employees that don’t have access to email or the intranet, these tend to blend into the wallpaper and go unnoticed. Plus, posters don’t give employees a chance to ask questions or share their concerns.
The solution?
Meet employees where they are! Recruit an A-team of people at all levels of the organization to help you start meaningful conversations with employees about important HR topics. Through conversations, you’ll boost employee engagement in HR programs and benefits, and you’ll get valuable feedback to make improvements.
Here are four types of people you should recruit to connect with un-wired employees:
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Front-line managers. The first person employees often turn to when they need information is their manager. Daily team meetings or huddles are the perfect time to connect with employees. So, prepare managers to confidently talk about important HR updates. To help them do so confidently, give them a weekly one-pager with simple talking points that will engage employees and address their questions.
Here’s some examples of topics you might have them share:
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- “3 benefits you can enroll in now”
- “3 reasons Health Savings Accounts are awesome”
- “3 wellness programs that will change your life”
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Site leaders. They play an important role in being a champion for employee benefits and explaining their value. Make the most of this role by hosting a series of informal “coffee chats” with site leaders and employees in a relaxed, conversational setting. To get the convo started, give leaders some HR-related questions, such as:
- “Has anyone heard of our new employee wellness program?”
- “Did you know that you can earn up to $300 in rewards for healthy activities?”
- “What would you do with your rewards?”
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HR partners. Instead of saying “call us if you need us,” ask your HR partners to be proactive and connect with employees first. There are several ways to get the convo started, such as setting up an “Ask me anything!” booth in the cafeteria or breakroom. Or have HR reps walk the floor with iPads and ask employees to do a quick 15-second poll to get feedback on employee wants and needs. For example:
What’s your dream employee work perk
- Flexible shift options
- Free snacks
- On-site gym
- Extra vacation days
- Employee influencers. Do you know any outgoing employees that can help you spread the word about a new HR program? Identify key influencers from each department or team, or even within employee resource groups, to talk to colleagues about how they use the program and how it makes a difference. And touch base with your network each month to get a pulse on their colleagues’ feedback and personal stories.
Having a strong communication support system will help you connect with employees on a deeper level and encourage them to make the most of your HR programs and benefits.
