When it comes to supporting employees’ mental health in the workplace, the only thing more crucial than communication is action. And, for many employers, a concerted commitment to mental well-being is tied directly to the overall health of the business. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that employee depression accounts for 200 million lost workdays each year and costs employers up to $44 billion. And, outside of the day-to-day cost of distress in the workplace, the toll depression can take on an organization’s culture paves the path for unhappy employees, decreased retention and increased turnover across the board. 

On the flip side, employers who invest in their employees’ mental health see four times the financial return for their business. 

 

In short: It’s always a good time to prioritize mental health in the workplace, and below we’ll walk you through “how.” 

Tags: Employee Communications, HR Communications, Employee Engagement, Open Enrollment, Human Resources, internal communications, communication strategy, Employee Marketing, culture, wellness, 2022, eap

Organizations who are committed to staying competitive in today’s talent market should consider a compensation communication strategies in 2022.

And while HR has been busy with a bottomless list of issues the last two years, compensation strategy is surging in importance for most employers — as they determine how to compete for and retain top talent in the current and future economy. 

Implementing a winning total compensation strategy starts with clear, concise employee communications. Keep reading to learn the best practices for communicating your total compensation statements to your employees. 

Tags: Employee Communications, HR Communications, Employee Engagement, Open Enrollment, Human Resources, internal communications, communication strategy, Employee Marketing, total compensation, total rewards, wellness, 2022

Whether you refer to it as a “recap,” a “debrief,” a “huddle” or a “review,” once you wrap up Open Enrollment, it’s smart to conduct a thorough post-OE assessment. 

While your team might still be coming down from the stress of OE, it’s still a prime time to talk about lessons learned, so you can assemble a plan that improves next year’s outcomes. Give them a brief break, then jump back in. The more you plan ahead, the smoother the next OE season will go!

Tags: Employee Communications, social meda, HR Communications, Employee Engagement, Open Enrollment, Human Resources, internal communications, communication strategy, Employee Marketing, wellness, COVID, 2022

Social media has completely changed the way we communicate inside and outside the workplace. It has lessened the need to pick up a phone or draft a letter and made connecting with people around the world as easy as logging into an account or app. There are 4.2 billion people on social media worldwide, and 82% of the U.S. population has a social networking profile. 

Social media platforms also present a plethora of opportunities for business. Between employee communication, recruiting and employer branding efforts, organizational learning and even public relations, social media can streamline countless company initiatives in real time. In fact, 82% of employees believe social media can improve their work relationships, and 60% think it can expedite better decision-making.

Tags: Employee Communications, social meda, HR Communications, Employee Engagement, Human Resources, internal communications, communication strategy, Employee Marketing, wellness, COVID, 2022

Over the course of the pandemic and our abrupt shift to remote work, countless companies have been dealing with the implications of employee burnout — from Zoom fatigue to a shrinking work-life balance to confusing employee communications (despite the best of intentions). 

Post-Covid employee burnout seems to have one overarching cause: stress; stress from the constant shifts and changes, stress from the global health crisis and stress surrounding our beliefs about what the modern “world of work” should even entail.   

Tags: Employee Communications, HR Communications, Employee Engagement, Human Resources, internal communications, communication strategy, Employee Marketing, wellness, COVID, 2022

Sixty-percent of global executive leaders say they plan to encourage their employees to get vaccinated for Covid-19. And as companies across the world consider how to navigate such a complex public health crisis, making the decision to motivate or even mandate employee vaccinations requires a well-strategized communication approach. 

The most effective vaccine communication plans are based on a variety of factors — from industry type to geographical location to roles and responsibilities and travel requirements. Not to mention, an emphasis on empathy can make the difference between employee uncertainty and hesitation and company-wide understanding and adoption. 

Here is a comprehensive guide for how to communicate Covid vaccine policies with sample vaccine communication approaches, strategies and other key considerations. 

Tags: Employee Communications, HR Communications, Employee Engagement, Human Resources, internal communications, communication strategy, Employee Marketing, wellness, COVID, 2022

As we round another essential corner in the Covid-19 pandemic, the world is focused on reopening for business and the future of work is front and center. Organizations are engaging in weighty discussions about what happens next, and lessons learned are shaping decision-making at the leadership level and beyond. 

With organizations shifting into another “new normal,” we’re taking a look at which aspects of the hybrid workplace are here to stay. During a time when communication was crucial to connect with remote employees, what winning strategies can we continue to implement for effective and engaging employee communications? 

Tags: Employee Communications, HR Communications, Employee Engagement, Open Enrollment, Human Resources, internal communications, communication strategy, Employee Marketing, wellness, COVID, 2022

 

Open Enrollment: The Essentials 

With summer coming to an end and fall just around the corner, Open Enrollment season is top of mind for many organizations. Open Enrollment, generally occurs between November 1st and December 15th, so we’re approaching the perfect time to put together a checklist to keep things on track. 

Tags: Employee Communications, HR Communications, Employee Engagement, Open Enrollment, Human Resources, internal communications, communication strategy, Employee Marketing, wellness, COVID, 2022

In 2021, Open Enrollment for employee benefits was met with an unprecedented rollout, as the majority of employees worked remotely and their personal and professional needs took a dramatic shift. As we approach Open Enrollment 2022, a new set of parameters will need to be met, with a mix of in-office and remote workers and an evolving set of benefits needs. 

To prepare for another non-traditional Open Enrollment season, it’s helpful to get planning efforts into full swing with some time to spare.

Tags: Employee Communications, workplace program, HR Communications, Employee Engagement, Open Enrollment, Human Resources, internal communications, communication strategy, Employee Marketing, wellness, COVID, 2022

Even as pandemic-implemented protocols and restrictions are starting to lift, many individuals are still facing stress and uncertainty around their long-term health and financial well-being. With this in mind, it’s important for employers to engage their employees in benefits decision-making as early and as often as possible this year as we approach another unique Open Enrollment season. 

Tags: Employee Communications, workplace program, HR Communications, Employee Engagement, Open Enrollment, Human Resources, internal communications, communication strategy, Employee Marketing, wellness, COVID, 2022