5 Ways HR Can Communicate Safety Expectations Effectively

Picture: Unsplash

Employee safety should be the top company priority, as the employees are a huge part of the company, and it cannot keep functioning without them. Safety is of utmost importance as employees who are unsafe and uncomfortable cannot create good output, and feel too distressed to be productive, and end up costing the company a lot of money in the long run.

1.     Keep Messaging Clear and Simple

When creating policies, HR personnel should ensure that the policies are clear and easy to understand, as having wordy policy documents with difficult words can make the reading process a bit difficult for the employees, and they may feel discouraged from going through it, and of course, this does not mean that the policies are not detailed out to the maximum, as all areas and all issues need to be covered. Policies can also be conveyed through posters in the workplace that are short yet to the point, and through constant reminders via emails. At least one email should be sent out monthly outlining the safety standards of the workplace.

2.     Try to be Creative

Signage in areas where employees frequent, such as break rooms, is a great way of reinforcing policies, and so does taking pictures and using demonstrations, so, if you are sending out an email, try to include a picture or video demonstration of the policy, as this will not only make it more engaging but will also deeply ingrain the message.

3.     Reinforce Through Regular Meetings

While the complete policy should be available in a handbook, employees should be constantly reminded through regular sessions that are held in which some part of the policy is highlighted and informed to employees. There could be a session on how to deal with workplace harassment, and another one on how to deal with a hazard in the workplace, and the sessions should be detailed and cover a lot of things, as constantly reinforcing certain important policies is essential to maintain conduct and expectations in the workplace. A lot of people are reluctant to come to in-person sessions, so make the process easier by allowing employees to attend online sessions, and through HR compliance training online, employers can have close-knit and interactive sessions where employees are encouraged to ask questions and clear out all their concerns.

4.     Encourage Two-Way Communication

A good workplace is one in which employees feel comfortable communicating, and that is only possible when employers show their trust in the people they hire and ensure that their voices are heard, as a lot of people may see something wrong in the workplace, like signs of harassment, but may not report it because they feel like their voices do not matter, and that saying anything would not bring about any chang. HR should ensure that the voices of the people are heard, and that if anyone is making a complaint, appropriate action should be taken against it immediately. In this way, employees will feel like their voices are being heard and will also report further incidents. Of course, employers and leaders should be able to communicate with the people that are working under them and do it in an effective manner. Being harsh with employees would not get the message across, but would only make them resentful, therefore, employers should constantly remind themselves of the importance of being kind and empathetic and use correct speech when communicating with their subordinates.

5. Reward People Who Contribute towards Compliance

Rewarding employees who follow compliance policies can go a very long way. HR can take initiatives through which they reward employees who contribute towards compliance. They can reward all the employees who take part in the training sessions and complete them duly and on time. HR can also plan out quizzes to test employees on the compliance policies and keep gifts for those who answer the best. There can also be rewards for those who fill out surveys and give feedback regarding policies and how they are being carried out. In this way, other people can also be encouraged to attend sessions and contribute to workplace policy.

Conclusion

A safe work environment means a productive workplace which produces maximum output and is of benefit to the company. While it may seem difficult initially, taking short steps to communicate safety expectations can go a long way and help the company a lot eventually. If you want to read more articles, visit our site