Explain the Economic Impact of the War
Fear-causing events, such as war, can have a profound impact on the workplace. As an executive leader, you need to be prepared to talk to employees about the potential impact of the war on your customers, the sale of your products, and the employment and paychecks of your staff. Bad news is best conveyed early while people have time to prepare. War is scary and can do scary things to the economy. Don’t let your employees be caught uninformed. With unemployment so high, currently, this job market is treacherous for the unemployed.
Foster Appropriate Workplace Discussion About War
While discussion of world events should not be the focus of your workplace, it is probable that some discussion will take place. Emphasize to staff that talking about what is happening is appropriate. Heated political debates and disagreements are not appropriate for the workplace. They have the potential to interfere with productivity. They may foster long term bad feelings among people who have to work together.
To help, you can lead discussions about topics such as how to ensure a safe, productive, peaceful work environment. Provide televisions in the lunchroom so people can watch events unfold during break time. Help your employees feel connected to world events without the war taking over your workplace.
Assess the Personal Involvement of Employees
If world events, such as war, impact an individual personally, offer released time, support, help obtaining information and anything else the individual appears to need. Armed force reservists, who have been called to military duty, need information and reassurance about their workplace rights. As an example, a mother, whose child is stationed in Iraq, may need additional support and encouragement from her supervisor and the human resource department.
However long or short the duration of the war, events that cause fear and anxiety in people and in the workplace, must be addressed by both individuals and employers. Unfortunately, putting your head in the sand won’t make the war go away.
Care to discuss the war and the war on terrorism in the HR Forum?
