BUSINESS
WHEN THE WORLD STOPS. EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATIONS IN TIMES OF CRISIS
These are uncertain times. The emergence and spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, reignites the discussion about what we say to our employees when times are tough. When the world around us seems to stop, cohesive and transparent communication is needed more than ever. You are always adapting in a crisis, so you may be trying to recover a reputation, making sure your employees are safe, or ensuring business continuity for your clients. Before any of that can be secured, you have to start by putting yourself in your employees’ shoes. What’s the benefit? They say if you want to help others, you start with
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yourself. Directing our energy outside of the organisation to important clients or partners is natural in situations like these; however, more and more, we’re seeing the significance of effective communication to internal stakeholders above all others. Employees that feel taken care of not only make for happy customers – they help a business survive.
Tried and tested fundamentals in any crises: react quickly, be open and honest, keep the message clear. You have to build trust and demonstrate that those in charge are capable of handling the situation. Essentially we’re saying, “don’t worry, you’re in good hands.” These basic premises help minimize damage to the brand, ensure your employees feel safe, and keep business going as best as possible.
Outsourcing&More | May–June 2020
