While workplaces have proven that remote work has maintained (if not improved) efficient productivity and output, many organizations are opening back their office spaces for employees to return. Some have created a hybrid setting with a few days each week in the office and other days remote, while other companies are requiring employees to report to the office five days a week. Whatever you decide is best for your team, internal communication is key to ensure your team is on the same page as you and that workplace morale stays strong. Follow these steps to effectively communicate with your team. 

1. Set clear parameters.
   If you have a hybrid setting, do you have set days when people are required to be in the office, or do employees get to choose what days they come in? How about work hours? Is everyone clocking in at 9 a.m., or are they offered flexible hours? If you’re in the office full-time, can employees occasionally request instances to work remotely? What if they’re planning to work in a different time zone or country? As the organization’s leader, you need to be transparent about what you expect from your team members. Don’t leave room for ambiguity.
   
2. Revisit your communication channels.
   With fewer people under the same roof at the same time, staff meetings may not have the same impact as they once did. Virtual meetings can be fitting, but be mindful of Zoom fatigue. We’ve all left at least one meeting telling ourselves, “This could have been an email.”
   
   Reassess your internal communication channels. They can range depending on the type of news you’re communicating. Consider setting up a channel in Slack or Teams for key reminders and minor team updates. These types of online spaces create opportunities for more conversations and engagement, instead of one-way announcements for employees to be told something. You can save bigger news for email if you feel it’s still the most effective. Find what works for your culture to best engage with your team and deliver pertinent information.
   
3. Don’t forget to track and measure.
   With technology and workplace behaviors constantly evolving, whatever works for you today may not be the same in 12 months. Keep a close eye on employees’ reception and sentiment. Set up analytic trackers to see how employees are engaging with what you’re sharing. You can also send surveys and questionnaires as tools to assess how they feel about the software and tools provided and open the door for them to share any concerns.

Like most specialties that fall under the public relations umbrella, internal communication requires continual attention and flexibility to adapt. This is especially important as more people from Generation Z are entering the workforce and Baby Boomers are inching closer to retirement. As your organization establishes what’s next for workplace settings and policies, internal communication will be the driver to ensure your team stays well-informed and morale remains positive. The team at Obsidian can help assess your organization’s culture and determine new, effective ways to improve internal communication and employee engagement.