In an industry where employees are frequently on the move, staying connected, informed, and aligned with company news and goals can be challenging. Flagger Force, a leader in short-term traffic control, exemplifies a company that has mastered this art. With over 2,000 employees managing over 1,000 work zone setups daily across the eastern United States and expanding, the company has perfected innovative strategies to meet the communication and engagement needs of a large, dispersed workforce.

Meeting the Needs of a Dispersed Workforce

With field-based team members working across several states along the East Coast, an area covering over 1 million square miles, Flagger Force quickly realized the need for a way to keep everyone connected. Managing and supporting such a mobile workforce requires tools and strategies tailored to their specific needs, from building a sense of community to delivering timely safety updates.

“We needed a communication solution that fit our dispersed, crew-centric culture and could keep our frontline workers informed, no matter where they were.”—Tamara Palmer, Internal Communications Manager, Flagger Force

You may ask, how does Flagger Force do this? Well, what if we told you it was all done through a smartphone? Would you believe us?

Our Mobile-First Communication Platform with In The Zone (ITZ

In partnership with Beekeeper, an internal communication and operations platform, Flagger Force has implemented In The Zone (ITZ), an internal app designed specifically for employees in the field. ITZ provides easy access to essential updates, safety alerts, and operational information, all in real time. Since it’s mobile-friendly, employees can receive and act on information directly from their phones, wherever they are. With 98% of the company actively using the app, Flagger Force realized this app could be used for more than just sharing updates.

Through ITZ, employees are regularly acknowledged for their hard work, accomplishments, and exceptional safety practices. This recognition is shared across the organization by allowing each employee the opportunity to interact with posts by commenting and liking, fostering a sense of belonging among field employees who may otherwise feel disconnected from others in the company.

Regularly engaged employees and field leadership, like Donyel H., Area Supervisor, Virginia, share Employee of the Month posts spotlighting field team members that go above and beyond in representing Flagger Force’s shared values—Leadership, Integrity, Respect, and Trust. Donyel’s recent post from September of this year celebrated Deronta B., Advanced Crew Leader, Virginia, Daryl C., Advanced Crew Leader, Virginia, and Dakota M., Advanced Crew Leader, Virginia, stating, “[these men have] grown tremendously [in their careers at Flagger Force]. They’re always willing to go above and beyond to support our clients, act as leaders to newer team members, and are extraordinary role models to those around them. I’m extremely proud of these gentlemen. Let’s give them a warm round of applause from the FF Family!”

Donyel’s post on ITZ influenced peers of Deronta, Daryl, and Dakota to join in on the celebration by commenting and interacting with the post. We saw comments like, “Congrats to you fellas. Keep up the good work.” and “congrats to all, and well deserved!” Dakota and Deronta even joined in offering thanks and celebrating—“Thanks Donyel. Keep up the good work everyone, we got this!”

Recognizing employees’ hard work and contributions ensures that they remain motivated, and it strengthens the company’s commitment to fostering a culture where everyone feels appreciated, respected, and empowered to perform at their best—like Deronta, Daryl, and Dakota.

Prioritizing Safety & Risk Management

With safety as a core value, Flagger Force recognized the need to improve access to safety-based training. Led by Luke Lazar, VP of Risk and Safety, the company has built a culture of safety awareness, where team members receive regular updates and refreshers on best practices in small, focused segments designed for quick and easy consumption, a practice called Microlearning.

With tools like ITZ and eduMe, a mobile-based training and communication platform, Flagger Force’s workforce is empowered to review safety materials and complete short assessments on their mobile devices that Flagger Force calls FF Learns. Based on a case study including Flagger Force, Beekeeper, and eduMe, this way of learning ensures that employees have instant access to essential information right when they need it, keeping them prepared and informed. With the implementation of FF Learns, Flagger Force has seen over 120,000 course completions, a 94% lesson completion rate, and 60% reduced incident rate on the job, like heat-related illness.

Looking Ahead

By prioritizing this way of communication, safety, and engagement through platforms like ITZ and eduMe, Flagger Force has built a responsive, informed, and cohesive dispersed workforce. Not only do these tools enable the company to meet operational goals but also create a work environment where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered.

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