STAT OF THE DAY “Just 27% of employees say they’ve received more information than they’d like about the coronavirus from their employer, the remaining 73% are happy with the level of information they’ve received so far or would like to hear even more.” - Global Strategy Group COVID-19 UPDATE As of Tuesday morning, The New York Times reported at least 163,575 cases in the U.S. and 3,073 deaths. Microsoft Bing’s COVID-19 Tracker reported 165,594 cases and 3,180 deaths. Global confirmed cases are over 800,000. Almost 100,000 people signed a petition asking networks to stop carrying President Trump’s COVID-19 briefings live over concerns that the president isn’t relaying accurate information. New York’s Governor Cuomo says the virus is “more dangerous than we expected.” The St. Louis Fed has released estimates that unemployment could hit 32%, beating the 24.9% peak during the Great Depression. Goldman Sachs says it projects unemployment will top out at 15% before a big upturn.
In the current crisis, your reputation as an employer is crucial. Here are three strategies to make sure that prospective and current employees want to work for your organization.
To get through this crisis, take a lesson from your past. Chances are, this isn’t the first crisis your organization has weathered, and there are great lessons and messages to take from those historic examples. Here are some ways that the past can inform and boost your current efforts. If you are an ‘essential business,’ make sure to share how you are protecting your employees. Here are 10 examples of ways you could offer extra protection for your workers who cannot do their jobs form home during the current crisis. Check out this visual to map the progression and messaging around COVID-19. For those wondering how the current crisis got to this point and hoping to identify the moments where the consequences might have been mitigated, this graphic is a helpful tool.
(Image courtesy of LEVICK.) Companies offer new perks during COVID-19 crisis. Examples include remote mental health care, organizing virtual social activities and cash incentives. One company even delivered wine to employees for a remote tasting party. An email Q&A inbox could be the tool you need to engage on COVID-19. Here’s how one communications team uses a dedicated inbox to answer employees’ questions about the virus—with answers promised within a day. Zoom defends data security and collection practices. The New York Attorney General is probing how the now ubiquitous videoconferencing company is gathering user data. The Street reported: “During the Covid-19 pandemic, we are working around-the-clock to ensure that hospitals, universities, schools, and other businesses across the world can stay connected and operational," the company said. "We appreciate the New York attorney general's engagement on these issues and are happy to provide her with the requested information," the company added. Influencers can be powerful, even during a crisis. Here are some examples of how some communicators are turning to these online personalities to reach important audiences with messages about the COVID-19 pandemic. Hyatt execs that took pay cut stand to benefit in other ways. The hotel chain cut executive pay, but the move might be undercut by the stock option and other awards recently announced. Cutting the pay of your leadership, only to give them value another way sends mixed signals to employees who are suffering though pay cuts, furloughs and layoffs. PR agency 5WPR offers a crisis communications plan checklist. Key steps include assigning important roles and developing internal and external messaging. Download the full report to see the whole list. WFH veterans offer tips on how to improve your remote work setup. Tips include taking the time to design your work space, and starting your day with an intention. The physical and mental health of your employees is paramount. Consider offering these resources from Mental Health America in your messaging, on your intranet and other channels. Virtual Conference Alert Join us for Ragan’s Internal Communications and Culture Virtual Conference April 21-22 to learn how you can connect dispersed workers and unite your organization in the face of unprecedented disruption. Join our Crisis Leadership Board Ragan’s Crisis Leadership Board is the resource you need before, during and post-crisis. As a Board member, you have access to all back issues of this newsletter, we well as research, data, case studies, checklists, tip sheets, articles and other resources, plus a peer to peer discussion board and an all-access pass to the annual Crisis Management Conference. Sponsorship/Advertising Opportunities Contact Hannah Lavelle at HannahL@ragan.com with sponsorship and advertising inquiries. Pitch Us Have a great story to share about crisis communication or your own take on current best practices? Contact Editor Ted Kitterman at TedK@ragan.com. Sign Up Subscribe to Ragan’s Crisis Daily newsletter today! | 