Every summer, the workplace rhythm changes. Out-of-office replies pile up, teams shuffle responsibilities, and the usual flow of communication slows to a crawl.
But while your people may be on vacation, your business doesn’t take a break. And neither should your internal communications.
Summer vacation season is one of the most disruptive times of the year—but also one of the best opportunities to strengthen your communication strategy. With the right tools and plan, you can keep employees informed, engaged, and aligned—even when half the team is out hiking, beaching, or simply unplugging.
Let’s dive into how to keep things running smoothly.
Why Vacation Season Can Derail Internal Comms
When time off is staggered across teams, it’s easy for communication to fall through the cracks. Consider this: 48% of employees say they’ve missed key updates while on vacation, and 39% feel disconnected from their team when returning to work.
Here are the most common summer communication challenges:
- Updates get delayed or lost. Without a solid system, important messages may go unnoticed.
- Burnout increases. Remaining team members cover for those on vacation, and without clear updates or support, it can lead to stress.
- Misalignment grows. Teams operating with half the usual coordination risk project delays or duplicate work.
But here’s the upside: These disruptions can be avoided with a smart, omnichannel internal communication strategy.
Key Strategies to Keep Comms Flowing
1. Plan Ahead with a Flexible Content Calendar
Don’t wait until everyone’s OOO to plan your comms. Create a summer content calendar that maps out your messages, campaigns, and company updates.
Pre-schedule time-sensitive content like holiday announcements or reminders in advance so they go out on time, even if your IC team is taking PTO.
2. Use an Omnichannel Internal Comms Platform
Why stick to just email? With an omnichannel platform, you can:
- Write once and publish everywhere: email, SMS, mobile apps, intranet, digital signage.
- Reach frontline workers and remote teams at the same time.
This not only increases visibility but saves your team time.
3. Automate Recurring Content
Set up weekly reminders, safety tips, birthday shoutouts, or team wins ahead of time. Automation ensures consistency and helps your communications team enjoy their own vacations without stress.
4. Empower Managers as Comms Amplifiers
Managers are your frontline messengers. Give them short toolkits or talking points to share updates during huddles or check-ins. When everyone says the same thing, teams stay aligned.
5. Make It Easy for Employees to Catch Up
Returning from vacation shouldn’t mean hunting for missed emails. Create a central space—like an employee app or “What You Missed This Week” digest—that summarizes updates clearly. This saves time and keeps everyone moving forward together.
What Not to Do
Here’s what to avoid during vacation season:
- Don’t rely on just email. People miss things when they’re away—or worse, they come back to a flooded inbox and ignore them altogether.
- Don’t pause communication. Silence often creates confusion and rumors.
- Don’t assume managers will fill in the gaps. Without guidance, messages may be skipped or misunderstood.
Why Organizations Trust Sparrow Connected
When it comes to seamless internal communications—especially during chaotic times like summer—Sparrow Connected is the go-to solution.
Our trusted omnichannel platform allows organizations to create content once and deliver it across multiple channels, reaching every employee, whether they’re at a desk, in the field, or checking in from a beachside café.
From mobile push notifications to personalized SMS, from digital signage to your company intranet, Sparrow Connected makes sure no one misses a beat. Our platform includes:
- Automated scheduling tools
- Employee engagement analytics
Organizations choose Sparrow Connected because we don’t just deliver updates—we build alignment, reduce confusion, and support employee well-being. We’re constantly improving based on real client feedback, so you always have access to the best internal communications technology.
Keep Communication Flowing—Even When Your Team’s Away
Summer vacations might slow the office pace—but they don’t have to stop your internal comms.
With a proactive plan, smart automation, and an omnichannel strategy, your communications can stay strong, clear, and consistent—no matter how many people are on PTO.
Want to streamline your summer communications? Take a Tour of Sparrow Connected and see how we can help your team stay connected, even when they’re away.
What’s Next?
