Knowledge Hub

Series 8, Episode 3 of The Future of Internal Communication Podcast

In our webinar Compassionate Comms with Hospice UK, we welcomed Paul Fraser and Faith Holloway to discuss what they’ve learned from supporting organisations with their Compassionate Employers Programme, and some practical advice for communicating about bereavement at work.

The Beginning It is fair to say the role of IC has had to adapt rapidly to the unfolding events of the last six months; a situation that has shaken the core of every business up and down the country. Put simply, the world has changed and so has the landscape of business. The need of good internal communication has never been so critical in the workplace.

After months of experimenting with the "work-from-home" approach, our attention now turns to how we will thrive in the post pandemic workplace or, as I call it, "the future normal". This phase presents an opportunity for internal communicators to rethink the employee experience in ways that respect individual differences – home lives, skills and capabilities, mindsets, personal characteristics and other factors.

Clear, practical and strategic information about Covid-19 and its impact on business has been essential over the past few months, but the internal communication team at Hertfordshire County Council has learned that connecting people through lighter content can have a powerful effect on culture and wellbeing.

We are experiencing a time in our lives, both personally and professionally, that we will never forget. The coronavirus pandemic has challenged the internal communication profession like never before, as we work at a different pace with a volume of change that has been difficult to navigate – all while the future and long-term impact remains unknown.