Consistent communications.
In a survey of 1,000 employees, 15Five found that 81% of employees would rather join a company that values open communication than one that offers great health plans, free food and gym memberships. Specifically, having their manager check in with them for 15 minutes each week is more important to employees than a top benefits package. (Their infographic provides more stats from the survey.)
Since 15Five sells a software platform for internal communications, their survey is a bit self-serving, but an article in the Harvard Business Review shows their findings are backed up by Gallop’s research. A survey of over 7,000 U.S. adults found that “consistent communication – whether it occurs in person, over the phone or electronically – is connected to higher engagement.” In fact, “employees whose managers hold regular meetings with them are almost three times as likely to be engaged.” Great managers connect with their employees on a regular, sometimes daily basis. In addition to reviewing responsibilities and progress on projects, they also talk to them about what happens in their lives outside of work.
You should apply this same principle to your HR communications. Don’t just communicate a few times a year. Communicate with employees on a regular basis. And don’t make it a one-way conversation. Utilize tools that allow employees to ask questions and connect with each other. This chart will help you to understand the various ways you can connect and engage with employees across your multi-generational workforce. The trick is to be authentic, consistent and interactive.
As Oprah often said, “Everyone just wants to be heard.”
