In a company, communication about the employee referral bonus is essential for the proper functioning and sustainability of the program.
As a reminder, the so-called referral bonus is the reward, usually financial, that a company offers to its employees for recommending new candidates. Often confused with nepotism, this type of hiring is primarily based on the skills and potential of the referred candidates. Between the recruitment and onboarding processes, the company’s promoter must focus on concrete actions and the use of effective communication channels.
Involving employees in the recruitment process and encouraging their participation through a referral bonus can contribute to the development of the employer brand. Here are seven reasons that justify the importance of effective communication about the referral bonus.
Introducing the employee referral program to employees
The main objective of communication about the employee referral program is to introduce the program to employees. This strategy aims to inform all employees, regardless of their position, about how the program works in real time.
To promote the circulation and sharing of information, this type of campaign should be regular, omnipresent, and participatory. It should provide clear details about:
- Eligibility criteria;
- Benefits for employees;
- The nature of the reward;
- Payment conditions;
- The procedure for referring a candidate;
- The types of profiles being sought.
Important information can be disseminated within a company through bulletin boards, email, intranet, collaboration tools, internal memos, meetings, seminars, and internal conferences. Company leaders should select their preferred channels and ensure that the message is conveyed and understood by all employees.
Encouraging employee referral within the company through communication
Transparent communication about the referral bonus can also promote employee referral among employees, recruitment managers, and managerial teams. To ensure that the project is embraced by everyone, it is important to highlight the benefits of its success for all.
The benefits of effective communication about the referral bonus for the company
For a company, the primary advantage of a successful employee referral program is the improvement of its recruitment process. Indeed, the recommendation of qualified candidates makes it easier to search for and discover new profiles that align with the company’s culture.
A good idea in this regard could be to ask employees who have already benefited from the employee referral program to provide testimonials that will be shared throughout the company.
Effective communication about the employee referral program also has a significant and positive impact on recruitment costs and the associated stress. Since the company can rely on employee referrals, it can save on advertising expenses as well as reduce hiring timelines.
The benefits for employees or referrers
For the employee, it’s an opportunity to receive a financial reward or benefits in kind, the value of which depends on several criteria. According to the conditions set by the management, the bonus can be awarded upon actual hiring or after the probationary period is successfully completed.
It’s also an opportunity to be helpful to members of their professional, social, and family networks. Recommending qualified candidates also makes the employee an essential part of the company.
The benefits for the referee
Successful participatory recruitment ensures that the new candidate has the assurance of being among the first to access a job offer that aligns with their expectations. Of course, the process does not exempt them from all the traditional recruitment steps, such as interviews and tests.
Additionally, the person who refers the candidate can provide them with information about the company’s values, culture, and quality of life, giving the candidate insight into their new environment. Finally, it’s fulfilling to work in a company that is attractive to its employees and with one or more trusted individuals.
Benefit from your employees’ network of qualified professionals
Despite the diversity of HR strategies, finding the right candidate for a company’s needs can be challenging, unless you tap into a broad professional network. Employee referral programs provide access to a pool of top-notch profiles, handpicked and vetted by the employees themselves.
The variety and quality of these referrals prompt recruiters to pay more attention to the potential of different candidates. Moreover, unlike traditional recruitment channels, which often rely on reference checks, this method is typically based on the reputation of the referring employee.
Integrate and make a new employee operational
Employees who refer candidates naturally become mentors for new members. Out of concern for their reputation or simply for their referral bonus, they help these newcomers quickly grasp the inner workings of the company. So, in a way, employee referrals contribute to the successful integration of a new team member.
Furthermore, the onboarding period is the best time to gauge employee engagement levels. This survey serves to bring teams together and achieve successful retrospectives. Hence, it is important to carefully select the questions to ask in an effective satisfaction questionnaire.
Create a sense of belonging and pride among employees
A good communication strategy around the employee referral bonus is an effective way to strengthen the company culture and facilitate collaborations. It is also ideal for:
- Enhancing the company’s attractiveness;
- Attracting and retaining top talent;
- Streamlining decision-making processes;
- Reducing employee turnover rates;
- Combating absenteeism in the workplace;
- Sharing the company’s recruitment goals.
A fair exchange between employees and leaders also encourages employees to proudly embrace the role of brand ambassadors. They have no hesitation in reflecting the company’s values within their network.
Creating a quality experience in employee referral through communication
A negative experience related to employee referrals can discourage an employee from recommending candidates in the future and even erode the trust of employees. Therefore, it is important to establish an effective communication plan regarding the referral bonus to avoid misunderstandings or frustrations.
In line with this, it is beneficial to gather feedback from teams through surveys based on this example of an employee satisfaction questionnaire. The feedback can be used to organize challenges or propose rewards and other ideas to improve the program.
It is essential to emphasize the benefits of a quality workplace satisfaction survey. This type of survey aims to collect employees’ opinions on their well-being, workload, environment, stress, and relationships with colleagues. The goal is to improve workplace quality of life and prevent burnout. A trusted employee review platform can be made available to employees for this purpose.
Ensuring the development of the employer brand
The challenges of effective HR communication go beyond mere information-sharing. It’s also a guarantee of transparency and a good reputation for the company. Indeed, good communication leads to better coordination of activities and adherence to best practices in cooptation.
In addition to its strong appeal in recruitment, another advantage of smooth and effective communication about cooptation is the development of a strong and positive employer brand. This has a positive impact on performance and return on investments.
Ideally, for a company, it is to have employees engaged in the company’s life and even in the recruitment process. The key to such a win-win system can be a well-structured employee referral program followed by clear and understood communication by all.
