Culture toolkit - internal communications
Internal communications is a vital tool in shaping how your organisation thinks and talks about age
How internal communications shapes culture
Communication matters. The information we choose to share with employees, and the language we use to do so, says a lot about what we value and how we want people to work.
When it comes to how people talk about ageing and older age, it is largely negative and small changes to the ways that we speak and write about ageing and older age, if applied consistently, could have a big impact.
Ageism can also be internalised, leading your older employees to limit their own behaviour and opportunities. Don’t let your internal communication be a contributing factor.
When thinking about internal communications, remember that important messages will bear repeating again and again. You should not assume that every communication will be received, read and remembered.
And remember to use a diverse range of images in all of your internal comms. You can find a wide range of free age-positive images in our age-positive image library
Different teams may need different approaches. Don’t shy away from tailored messages and tactics. For example not everyone works using a computer screen. You may need to create an event or take space on an agenda.
Whatever you choose your internal communications should represent the multigenerational workforce and the value that everyone has within that.