To continue reading please register or login to your OHW+ account.
EasyJet's HR team took the decision to phone staff at home to tell them about the company's takeover of rival airline Go.
The company took the emergency action after EasyJet bought low-cost airline Go for £374m earlier this year, creating a new business of more than 3,000 staff. It wanted to ensure they did not hear the news first via the media.
EasyJet's HR team phoned staff and, when necessary, left messages. It also e-mailed staff with details of the move. Company directors, including HR director Graham Abbey, then visited airports and offices to answer staff questions about the changes in person.
Abbey told delegates at the company's employee benefits conference last week that good communication played a key role in maintaining staff morale during the takeover.
"We did a lot to inform staff about the takeover," he said. "People do not necessarily see the e-mail or get to the presentation the first time around, so you should use as many communication channels as possible."
The company produced a short video film and information was updated daily on the intranet, in the weekly online newsletter and the monthly journal.
"Communication does not have to be expensive. The video was produced in two days," said Abbey.
An internet chatroom was also set up to allow staff to talk openly about the move. Abbey said this was also a good way for the company to monitor staff opinion and answer questions and fears.
