The Power of Push: Why Push Notifications Matter for Employee Communications

In the workplace, timely communication is everything. Employees expect to be informed quickly when something important happens. Whether it’s a critical policy update, a shift schedule change, or an urgent safety alert. That’s where push notifications in your employee app can make all the difference.

Unlike emails or intranet updates, which may sit unopened, push notifications reach employees instantly, right on their mobile devices. They cut through the noise and ensure that key messages are not just sent, but actually seen.

But while push notifications are a powerful tool, they should be used thoughtfully. Too many alerts — or poorly worded ones — risk being ignored, muted, or even resented by employees.

Let’s look at why push notifications are so valuable, and cover some best practices:

Why Push Notifications Are Important for Internal Comms

1. Instant Visibility
   Push notifications appear directly on your employee’s phone home screen. When information is time-sensitive; such as system outages, safety advisories, or leadership announcements, push ensures the message is delivered immediately.

2. Higher Engagement Rates
   Studies show that push notifications get significantly higher open and engagement rates compared to email or static intranet posts. They provide a direct channel to employees who may not regularly open your app to check if there's anything new. Remember that you're competing against a plethora of social media apps for your employee's attention, and even with the best will in the world, they might not always remember to open your app to see what's new. This is where push notifications become a really powerful tool in your arsenal; to give your employee that little nudge to check out an important update that you've just published in your app.

3. Accessibility for Deskless Workers
   Not every employee sits behind a desk. Most of our customers have an employee app because they want to improve the employee experience for deskless workers. For frontline staff, drivers, warehouse workers, etc - mobile push notifications are often the only reliable way to keep them in the loop.

4. Drives Traffic to Deeper Content
   A short push notification can act as a teaser that directs employees to open the full article, video, or resource inside the employee app. Remember that when a user taps on the push notification on their phone it not only opens your app, but it acts like a deep link to open the particular page from which you sent the push notification.

Best Practices for Push Notification Text

The wording of your push notification can determine whether employees engage with the content or swipe it away.

✅ Dos

• Be concise. Keep it under 50 characters when possible.

• Be specific. Clearly state what the notification is about.

• Create urgency (when appropriate). Phrases like “New safety guidelines effective today” drive immediate attention.

• Add context. Include just enough detail so employees know why it matters to them.

• Use action-oriented language. Encourage employees to “Read now,” “Watch,” “Learn more,” "Tap here to find out..."

❌ Don’ts

• Don’t overuse them. If employees get too many push notifications, they’ll start ignoring or disabling them.

• Don’t be vague. “New update posted” doesn’t tell employees why they should care.

• Don’t use jargon. Keep the wording simple, clear, and easy to scan.

• Don’t misuse urgency. If everything is labeled “urgent,” nothing feels urgent anymore.

• Don’t send outside of work hours unless it’s a true emergency. Respect boundaries.

Examples of Effective Push Notifications

• ✅ “Action required: Submit your timesheet by 5pm today 📈”

• ✅ “New Health & Safety Policy starts Monday ⛑️ – Read Now.”

• ✅ “Your shift schedule for next week is now available. Tap here for more info...”

• ❌ “Update posted. Check the app.”

• ❌ “Important info.”

To Sum Up

Push Notifications are one of the most powerful tools internal comms teams can use to ensure messages reach employees in real time. When used strategically, they improve awareness, drive engagement, and keep employees aligned, no matter where they work.

The key is to use them wisely: keep the language short, clear, and purposeful; only push what’s truly important; and always respect employees’ time and attention.

Done well, push notifications won’t just be another alert — they’ll be a trusted signal that employees rely on for the information they need most!