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Getting Employees Excited About Name Badges

By: IT Admin

It is no secret that many employees are opposed to wearing nametags and name badges. Argumentative reasoning can be from a privacy, security, or even personal standpoint. Some employees would openly complain for the sake of having something to complain about, while others may not be so vocal, but may express their displeasure in a passive way (i.e. not wearing the name badge at all). In a corporate environment where wearing name badges is required, getting your employees’ cooperation can become tricky and problematic. So how do you get your employees to cooperate without having to bring out the big guns and issuing sanctions for non-compliance? The Announcement The first step to implementing a name badge policy is to inform your employees in a meeting. Now, the manner by which you deliver the news is crucial – if you present it with an air of bad news, that already becomes a precedent for negative employee response. If you hold regular meetings with your employees, include the announcement in the good news part. Be prepared for opposition, and be prepared to explain why name badges would be necessary for your company, as well as how it would benefit the employees themselves in the long run. The Employee Input Ask your employees for design ideas. Let them know what designs are available. At Dandy.com.au, you can choose from magnetic, plastic, engraved, and even reusable name badges. You can also customize the badges with a variety of coatings, clips, and fittings. Get your employees to vote, this way your are already getting their participation. The Contest Hold a design contest for the name badges based on the type of badge chosen. Have the proposed designs posted on your company message board or newsletter. Get your employees to vote on their favorite. Aim for a majority vote. If you are unable to get one, then treat it as an elimination round and hold another round for the top designs. This also builds up the anticipation and excitement for the winning design. The Grand Reveal Hold a formal announcement for the winning name badge design. Do this in another meeting, and get creative with how you present the winner. You can have a giant name badge made with the designer’s name on it. Shower confetti on the winner, and/or present a framed certificate or a surprise incentive. Most importantly, present your individual employees’ name badges in gift form. Instead of handing it out like you would a flyer, wrap it up in a nice box or put it in a gift bag. Even if your employees already know what’s inside, they will receive it as a gift, not as a policy they have to comply to. The Incentive Even with all previous efforts, you may still encounter employees that are less than cooperative. Reinforce the positive vibe of wearing name badges by giving special awards or incentives to employees who wear them religiously. The more people you get on board with the idea, the less enthusiastic ones will soon run out of people who share their sentiments. Whether you already have a name badge policy in place, or are considering having one, the key is to make the experience fun and exciting for your employees.