Earlier this 12 months, Condé Nast introduced that its publication Teen Vogue could be folded into Vogue.com, a transfer the corporate stated would “fortify the Vogue ecosystem” whereas preserving Teen Vogue’s editorial identification. However the transition rapidly escalated and have become risky following layoffs, sparking worker unrest and a viral video that includes the corporate’s head of HR.
What occurred at Condé Nast?
Six unionized Teen Vogue staffers have been laid off final week. In response, a number of staff gathered outdoors Chief Individuals Officer Stan Duncan’s workplace, demanding to talk with him. A video of the confrontation—throughout which Duncan repeatedly requested staff to return to their “workplaces”—was extensively shared on-line. Days later, Condé Nast fired 4 of those staff and suspended 5 others, citing “gross misconduct.”
See additionally: Belief in management: What HR can be taught and repair after the kiss cam scandal
5 communication ideas for HR in difficult occasions
Few HR leaders need to be in Duncan’s footwear, and whereas nobody is ever totally ready for an escalated second, communication ideas stay a robust HR instrument. Because the authors of communication platform Axios HQ’s 2025 State of Inner Communications observe, “Whereas 80% of leaders consider their communications are clear and interesting, solely 50% of staff agree.” (This assertion was wholly unrelated to Condé Nast or any particular state of affairs.)
This misalignment is usually a actual subject: Leaders suppose they’re doing sufficient, whereas staff nonetheless really feel omitted of the loop. The Condé Nast incident reveals how this disconnect can escalate below strain.
Listed here are 5 communication reminders HR leaders can use to keep away from comparable outcomes.
Transparency builds belief
Practically three-fourths of leaders and an excellent bigger proportion of staff say that an rising deal with “belief and transparency within the relationship between staff and the group” may be very or critically essential, based on Deloitte’s 2024 International Human Capital Traits report.
HR tip: Share the “why” behind selections early. If full disclosure isn’t doable, clarify what you’ll be able to and why. Use constant codecs and channels to strengthen readability.
Engagement requires dialogue
Thirty p.c of staff say a scarcity of sincere communication would make them depart a job, based on analysis from worker engagement platform Reward Gateway. Moreover, 36% of staff need the chance to offer suggestions to their employer, based on a report from Axios HQ.
HR tip: Create structured areas for two-way communication: listening classes, nameless Q&As or union consultations. Avoiding laborious conversations solely makes them louder.
Managers are the message
Whereas government and HR leaders are seemingly constructing technique, many staff truly look nearer to house for communication. Reward Gateway discovered that round half of staff really feel listened to by their managers, with practically half reporting that this relationship issues extra to them than a ten% elevate.
HR tip: Prepare managers in energetic listening and message framing. Equip them with speaking factors and maintain them accountable for communication high quality.
Talk to save cash
Ineffective communication prices corporations as much as $10,140 per worker per 12 months, based on Axios HQ’s annual analysis. This quantity stems from a whole bunch of misplaced working hours—staff spend time trying to find info or clarifying particulars relatively than specializing in their core obligations.
HR tip: Prepare HR leaders in media literacy and disaster response, and make constant, clear communication a high enterprise precedence.
Empathy drives efficiency
Workers present a 43% enhance in effectiveness after they really feel appreciated, based on Reward Gateway. Eighty p.c say they really feel extra appreciated when communication matches their preferences.
HR tip: Talk with compassion. Acknowledge the human affect of change. Provide assist, not simply severance. Recognition and tone matter as a lot as content material.
