4 Tips for Implementing an Employee ID Badge Policy

It might sound like the work is over once you design and print your employee badges. But in reality, creating the ID card for workers and printing them is only the first two steps.

Some employees will find it difficult to adjust to the new ID badge policy. The policy will become an additional task to their existing work schedule. Although it doesn't take much to carry a company ID badge with you, some employees will still struggle.

Fortunately, if you use the right strategy, it becomes easier to implement your company's latest employee ID badge policy. Here are the essentials.

Start from the Top

Employees might feel like you're introducing the ID badge policy to track their daily work. While that might be true, and there's nothing wrong with that, it does create the feeling that the procedure is only here to oversee workers further. From a psychological standpoint, people will naturally resist anything they feel is constraining their activities.

An easy way to avoid that is to start from the top. Instead of introducing the employee ID card policy out of the blue, go slow. Have executives and team managers start using ID cards first for a couple of weeks. More importantly, ensure that employees see them using their ID cards as they go in and out of work.

Start with Executives
Explain Badge Policy

Explain the Reasons for the ID Policy

After employees witness team managers using ID badges a couple of times, announce a meeting where you'll talk about the policy. The key of the meeting isn't to let employees know they will be getting their ID badges but also to explain why.

Every company has a different ID badge. While some have only the name, surname, and job position, others include a phone number and email address. Depending on how much information you include in your company ID badge, you should explain why.

Some employees might not be comfortable having their phone or address visible on the ID card. But if you have a valid reason, it becomes easier to accept the change.

Announce the Date

Another essential information is when the ID badge policy goes into effect. Again you don't want to storm into the workplace with a box of ID badges, hand them out, and call it a day.

At the end of the meeting, let employees know precisely when it becomes mandatory to have ID badges. It's also helpful to let them know when they will be getting their ID badges.

Announce the Start Date
Collect Feedback

Collect Feedback

Finally, after you've successfully implemented the ID badge policy, it's time to fix any issues that might appear along the way. To make the post-introduction phase also easier, collect feedback from your employees.

Did they experience any technical difficulties since the introduction? What about the general experience of using their ID badge and interacting with other employees?

If there's any way to make the experience easier for the employees, solving the issue will yield better results for you.