Effective communication is the heart of a thriving workplace culture, and trust is the backbone of a successful team. The HR department is pivotal in maintaining that essential communication and trust.
Here, Forbes Human Resources Council members share their experiences of empowering HR departments to improve communication, build trust and cultivate a cohesive workplace culture. By tapping into these initiatives, you can take your team to the next level by forging stronger connections and trust among your employees.
1. Model Transparency At The Senior Level
At my digital banking company, we believe that trust comes from transparency, which must be modeled from the most senior levels. For HR leaders, this means prioritizing openness about areas such as changes in policy, company updates and culture. CHROs should also create spaces for employees to ask questions and collaborate to ensure two-way communication. - Julie Hoagland, Alkami
2. Be Consistent, Relevant And Relatable
To better communicate with employees and build trust, HR communications should be consistent, relevant and relatable to the organization, fostering a collective spirit. They must be honest, timely, and educational in relation to the business, addressing matters directly affecting employees and offering guidance and resolutions while remaining relatable and supportive throughout. - Nichelle Cole, Topa Insurance Company
3. Promote Pay Transparency
Many employees are skeptical about their pay, so to build stronger trust with their employer, they must have an adequate level of transparency and understanding of their organization’s pay practices. When employers proactively lead staff-wide conversations about their pay structure and steps they’re taking to eliminate potential inequities, they build a culture of trust and accountability. - Tanya Jansen, beqom
MORE FOR YOU
4. Actively Listen And Address Needs
HR departments should prioritize transparency and active listening. Regularly share company updates, policies and decisions openly and honestly while creating opportunities for employees to provide feedback and voice concerns. By demonstrating a genuine commitment to understanding and addressing employee needs, HR can foster a culture of trust and open communication. - Jessica Kriegel, Culture Partners
5. Provide A Confidential Place To Share Feedback
It’s important for HR departments to maintain open lines of communication by offering a confidential avenue for employees to provide feedback. The right HR software can provide a space where employees can ask questions confidentially and then be routed to the correct person for an efficient and seamless means of getting issues resolved. Providing clear, timely information fosters openness. - Jennifer Kraszewski, Paycom
Forbes Human Resources Council is an invitation-only organization for HR executives across all industries. Do I qualify?
6. Build Authentic And Clear Internal Communication
Building trust and advocacy in employees is a long-term project. It requires honest, transparent communication and will be hampered by technical language and jargon. Communication from HR departments should be clear, concise and authentic. Don't assume or dictate what the best channels of communication are for your workforce; instead, try to gather feedback to inform your internal comms matrix. - Alex Gillespie, Gillespie Manners
7. Listen Intentionally
One of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of effective HR communication is intentional listening. It goes beyond simply hearing an employee's words. Intentional listening involves genuinely paying attention, asking clarifying questions and demonstrating empathy. This approach fosters a safe space for open communication and builds trust between HR and employees. - Michael D. Brown, Global Recruiters of Buckhead
8. Be Open About Policies And Decisions
Companies should prioritize transparency to create a positive work environment. Openness about policies, goals and decisions helps employees feel informed and valued. Listening to feedback and concerns and regular communication through various channels builds trust and positive relationships between HR and employees. - Reema Akhtar, Seer Solutions
9. Give Regular Updates And Have An Open-Door Policy
Open, consistent communication is key. Implement regular, transparent updates and an open-door policy for feedback and concerns. This fosters a culture of trust and inclusivity, making employees feel valued and heard. - Laura Spawn, Virtual Vocations, Inc.
10. Establish Formal And Informal Communication Loops
HR departments can establish stronger communication bonds with employees by being accessible, transparent and operating from their authentic selves. Regularly offering informal "coffee chats" along with more formal communication loops, such as employee surveys, not only bolsters rapport but also provides necessary insights and camaraderie for both parties to increase trust, empathy and relations. - Dr. Timothy J. Giardino,
11. Implement Employee Response Plans
In today’s environment, proactiveness is a vital factor in thriving workplaces. HR departments can create employee response plans to address crises. These response plans center internal communications and offer employees individualized support. Plans target communication to and from executives, people managers and employees-at-large. A thoughtful plan helps shape a culture of well-being for all. - Chelsea C. Williams, Reimagine Talent Co.
12. Avoid 'Corporate Speak'
Know when to relax “corporate speak” in favor of a more human and authentic approach. At times, communication can feel high stakes—and sometimes it is. But it should never be so high stakes that we lose touch with connecting with the people on our teams, providing straight answers and leading with transparency. - Ursula Mead, InHerSight
13. Admit To And Correct Mistakes
When mistakes are made, openly admit them. Then share what steps are being taken to correct them to demonstrate accountability and build trust. - Britton Bloch, Navy Federal
14. Continuously Seek Input To Improve
Continuously seek input from employees to pinpoint areas for enhancing HR communication, policies and practices. Actively listening showcases a dedication to ongoing improvement and responsiveness to the evolving needs of employees. By implementing meaningful changes, HR reinforces its commitment to addressing employee concerns and fostering a culture of trust within the organization. - Katrina Jones
15. Regularly Show Appreciation
Help managers prioritize and show appreciation regularly. Too often, leaders claim they are too busy or don’t see the relationship between recognition and flourishing employees and thriving workplaces. Yet, research shows employees who receive thanks or recognition report feeling high levels of trust in their managers and other leaders. Happy, trusting employees are more productive and engaged. - Laci Loew
16. Establish Regular HR Communications
Establish ongoing communications, like an HR newsletter, so your employees have insight into daily activities. When you only interact with employees as a new hire and during their exit interview or in a crisis, you miss out on a chance to gain trust. Your regular communications should highlight HR events, important dates for benefits enrollment and professional development opportunities. - Niki Jorgensen, Insperity
17. Always Follow Up
Follow up on items that were brought to your attention. Explaining the results of a company, fully disclosing benefits changes and following up with webinars, mailings and other forms of communications are examples of increasing trust. Even creating a newsletter summarizing any company changes, events, benefit updates and so on can help bridge gaps in communication with employees. - Erin ImHof, CertiK
18. Understand How To Speak To Your Audience
Focus on communication of message versus optics and corporate speak. Communication by definition is the action of imparting or exchanging information or news—far too often, communication becomes bogged with formality, corporate speak and complexity. Understand your audience and speak to that audience in a way that's authentic and allows for easy understanding and consumption. - Jon Lowe, DailyPay
19. Be A Part Of The Team
Being authentic and as transparent as possible is the price of admission. Listen to concerns, engage directly and respond thoughtfully. Teach managers to own their decisions and both positive and negative messaging, so HR isn't always seen as the antagonist. Remember that HR should be part of the team—not apart from it. - Tracy Cote, StockX
20. Use Two-Way Feedback Channels
To boost communication and trust, HR should establish transparent, two-way feedback channels, ensuring employees feel heard and valued. Acting on feedback demonstrates commitment and builds a trust-based work culture. - Chris Hoyt, CareerXroads
