One day, your communications are more or less centered on business-as-usual. The next, you’re having to make sense of and disseminate information about the impact of the new Coronavirus on your workplace.
If there was ever a time when the right information was critical, it’s now. People are grasping for any information they can get on the global pandemic, especially as it relates to their personal and professional lives.
Your employees are anticipating that their workplace will be proactive in communicating what they need to know and when. Naturally, internal communications and human resources pros will take the lead.
Remote work seemingly became the norm overnight for businesses that can accommodate telecommuting. In fact, the remote workforce has climbed to number millions strong during the outbreak.
The communications you send out during this time will help support these workers who are remote—logistically and even emotionally. The right communication can bridge the gap that many workers may now be feeling.
IC and HR teams should work closely and rapidly to prepare a crisis communications plan, or to modify one that already exists to meet the needs of the current crisis.
The shape that your communication takes may look different during a health or other crisis, particularly where the situation changes frequently.
Even though your organisation’s response needs to be calculated and thorough, your communications don’t need to come off cold.
Use this as an opportunity to create a culture of understanding, empathy, and sensitivity via internal communications. Minimise fear and confusion through communications that are clear and simple, while at the same time ensuring that employees feel empowered to do their part.
Of course, this is always important, but in times of crisis, it becomes even more so.
Communicate with your employees using channels and technologies that they can and will access. Don’t be afraid to get creative, using video or attention-grabbing graphics to teach proper hand washing, for example.
Don’t forget external-facing communication: Clients, customers, stakeholders, media, and suppliers will all need to know how your organisation is dealing with the crisis and how it impacts them.
Here at Thrive, we specialise in equipping internal communications and HR teams with the employee communications tools they need to keep everyone in their organisations informed and involved.
You may also be interested in reading our new eGuide - Covid-19: Crisis Communication & Support for Key Workers.
Helping you communicate with your people, and thereby keeping them informed and engaged, is the heart of what we do.
We can have a secure, mobile communications app channel setup for you within 48 hours, for a small fee and only 3 months commitment required.