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The Ultimate End-of-Year Checklist for Communication Professionals

Firstup

October 16, 2024

The end of the year can be a whirlwind for communication professionals and employees. Between employees wrapping up projects, setting goals, and preparing for personal holidays, it’s important to stay ahead of cyclical communications. Here’s an actionable checklist to help you prepare for a seamless end of the year.

October: Step into fall with these communications

Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Cybersecurity Awareness Month brings light to frightful cyberattacks. Provide tips to employees to prevent cyber tricks. Consider a playful theme to grab attention like “Cyber Is Spooky” or create a memorable poem or video to better engage your audience.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Share educational resources, including cancer programs or resources from your insurance providers or Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Encourage employees to learn more about prevention and early detection.
Pre-written template here
World Mental Health Day: Every year on Oct. 10, World Mental Health Day encourages open conversations about mental health challenges, emphasizing the importance of seeking help and fostering supportive environments. Send a communication with resources and any events to employees.
Pre-written template here
Halloween fun: If relevant in your employees’ region, encourage employees to share photos of their Halloween costumes and traditions.
Open Enrollment: For many companies, Open Enrollment (OE) takes place in October or November. Ensure you have engaging communications by planning a theme, targeting your audiences, and using omnichannel communications.

Explore our 15 OE journey templates, with ready-made communications in the EX Content library.

Need more tips on OE comms?

Check out our blog: Modernizing Open Enrollment: Digital strategies for effective employee communication.

November: Setting the stage for year-end

El Día de los Muertos: Recognize this important cultural tradition as part of your inclusion and diversity (I&D) initiatives. Use your communications platform to share educational resources about its significance.
Pre-written template here
Native American Heritage Month: Another great opportunity for I&D education. Share content that highlights contributions and history.
Pre-written template here
Veterans Day (U.S. only): Send a special message thanking military employees. If possible, highlight their service by listing names and showing appreciation.
Pre-written template here
Thanksvember recognition contest: Encourage recognition throughout November by launching a “Thanksvember” campaign. Invite employees to thank colleagues via your communication platform. Enter both the nominee and nominator into a contest for a special prize!
Next year’s calendar: To help employees plan ahead, share your company’s upcoming holiday schedule, PTO policies, and updates on office closures for the coming year.

Performance reviews: November means it is time to get information out to managers about the year-end performance process, including deadlines, performance conversation best practices, and how to complete the reviews. Once your managers are informed, communicate the process to employees.

Need more help?

Review our 20+ Performance Journey Templates to help with your performance communications.

December: Wrapping up and celebrating

Holiday cheer campaign: Host a #HolidayCheer campaign on your internal platform to encourage employees to share festive photos, holiday traditions, and stories. Recognize holidays like Christmas, Saint Nicholas Day, Boxing Day, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s, among others. Foster inclusion by asking employees to share how they celebrate globally.
Pre-written template here
Year-end tax reminders: Remind U.S. and Canadian employees to update their addresses in your company HR systems to ensure they receive their tax forms. They may also need to opt into electronic options. Provide any deadlines and updates.
Coping with the holidays: Send a communication to employees acknowledging that holidays can be stressful for many employees due to personal and financial pressures. Remind them about your EAP for counseling and financial support. With EAPs often underused, this timely reminder could provide necessary help.
Pre-written template here
Holiday leadership guidance: Share tips with managers on creating inclusive holiday celebrations that respect different traditions. Also, remind them to be approachable and knowledgeable about EAP resources, as they may hear directly from employees about stress during this time of year.

Year-end town hall: Host a year-end town hall to recap successes, share a look ahead and celebrate employee contributions. Recognize top performers and offer a fun, engaging way to close out the year.

Want more effective town halls?

Check out our blog: 6 tips for making your town halls more effective.

Year-end communications recap: With many employees taking time off during the last two weeks of the year, it’s best to avoid communicating critical changes or action items. Instead, use this time to recap the year’s highlights. Share top stories, recognize the most engaged employees — whether through likes, comments, or participation — and celebrate company milestones. Don’t forget to include reminders about global holiday closures and any upcoming company events to keep everyone informed as the year wraps up.

By planning ahead and using this checklist, you can streamline your end-of-year communications, keeping your workforce engaged and informed through the busy season.