The PR spin | When HR needs to control the messaging, how can it do that?

Mixed messages are confusing, even for the hardy. Retail giant M&S hit the headlines recently for its generosity in pay and benefits hike while at the same time declaring that its joint Chief, Katie Bickerstaffe has stepped down after just two years.

It’s an internal message that can be spun in many ways and begs the question of how to pitch conflicting news to employees.

On the one hand there is a benefits and pay package that could be the envy of many, while at the same time there is the news of the departure of the senior leader who didn’t like it enough to stick around for the long haul. Not to mention whether if it should in fact be the job of HR to manage these public relations quandaries in the first place.

Instil the right message

Kay Phelps, Founder and Director of PR in HR says, “When it comes to internal PR, and in particular communicating what could be seen as conflicting messages – good news about pay and benefits, concerning news about the departure of an effective leader – it’s really important to take stock, assessing the situation from all angles to align with the overall strategy.”