How to Use SMS to Communicate Requirements and Coronavirus Notices to Employees
Learn the most effective way to comply with your state-specific coronavirus work policy by using SMS to reach employees fast.
Learn the most effective way to comply with your state-specific coronavirus work policy by using SMS to reach employees fast.
Two essential requirements of a Coronavirus employee communication system are speed and reliability.
With 90% of messages opened within the first three minutes—and 98% opened overall—texting is the most efficient way to communicate time-sensitive messages to employees.
In many states, COVID restrictions for businesses are tightening.
Effective communication of updated policies to staff could be the difference between whether your doors remain open or closed for business.
And when the risk of endangering your team due to a potential exposure can come down to a matter of minutes, you can’t afford to wait for email, word of mouth, or a phone tree to do the job.
In order to stop the spread, protect your employees, and communicate the most up to date regulations, you need SMS.
Thanks to mass texting tools, it’s easy to send one message to all your employees within seconds.
In many states, like California for example, new legislation requires employers to notify employees and contractors in the event of a “potential exposure” to COVID-19 in their workplaces.
This includes when an employee…
Within 1 business day of being told about the potential exposure, the employer must provide written notice to employees.
Thankfully, text message is an approved form of written communication!*
To mitigate the risk of employee exposure, here’s how to send a COVID notice text message.
First, upload your employees’ phone numbers to SimpleTexting.
If you don’t already have their mobile numbers (and permission to text them) you can use a keyword to get everyone access.
A keyword is a short word or phrase that, when texted in to your number, signs you up to receive text messages. For example, you could instruct employees to text “CovidAlert” to 833-675-1234.
If your business doesn’t already have a text-enabled phone number, we can set you up with a complimentary toll-free line, or text-enable your existing business landline.
From here, you can organize, or segment, your subscribers into lists based on locations, departments, shifts, etc. This can make it easier to organize if you need to contact a large group of specific employees at once.
If your employees subscribe via keyword, you can use data collection to sort them into groups automatically.
Anytime someone texts in the keywords they’ll automatically be sent the data collection messages and sorted accordingly!
Once your subscriber list is established, you’re ready to text your team. You can do this a few different ways.
Even if your state doesn’t have rapid response laws in place, the CDC’s best practice guidelines encourage strong and reliable communication from employers to employees regarding all things COVID.
Have any questions about setting your company up with SMS? Feel free to request a demo, or start your 14-day free trial here.
*This article is for informational purposes only, it is not a substitute for legal advice. Please note the statement in reference relates to California regulations initiated on 1/1/21, which are subject to change at any time. Please seek legal advice for your state for the most up to date COVID communication policies.
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