The Workplace in a World at War

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What Organizations Are Talking About in the Aftermath of the September 11th Atrocity: Part 2

Susan M. Heathfield

Electronic Communication

In a trend already occurring in worldwide workplaces, less travel and more reliance on electronic solutions to communication and meeting needs, the attack will accelerate their implementation. More organizations are working with video conferencing, Web conferencing, email, mailing lists, in-house or Intranet discussion boards and cell phones. The available technology, while not excluding the need for the human touch, is transforming how people meet and communicate in the workplace. Online training, CD training and virtual universities are also replacing some need to travel. This trend will accelerate over the next few years. Laura Schneider, About's Guide to Internet Conferencing, offers a heartfelt look at technology. For information about optimizing your use of email, Guide Heinz Tschabitscher shares information at the About email site.

Downsizing and Layoffs

Prior to the attack and in its aftermath, the slowing economy has had an impact on employment. The terrorist actions will continue to have a rippling effect on employment for many years. Alison Doyle, the About Job Searching Guide, is keeping a running list of layoffs in the aftermath of the attack and in the current slowing economy.

Many organizations take good care of the people they lay off by providing severance packages, employment seeking help and more. I am concerned about the spirit of the survivors, the people who remain after a downsizing. The "survivor guilt" some people who escaped death in the attack are experiencing can also occur in people who remain in your workplace following a downsizing. Losing people you care about at work is a source of serious stress and sadness. In Downsizing Survivors and Survivors Can Soar After Downsizing! you'll find information that will help you help bolster the morale and productivity of your remaining staff.

Safety and Security

Now is the time to review any policies and procedures you have in place to address issues of safety and security. Make certain the procedures ensure the safety of your employees before any other action is taken. It is also important that you establish several check-in points so you can ensure that all employees are safe and secure. I highly recommend the disaster preparedness material provided by the American Red Cross. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor (OSHA) has a comprehensive Web site to help with your planning. Osh.net has an excellent set of resources that explore all aspects of workplace safety and preparedness.

In their current newsletter, HR-esource offers an update about workplace security. Security Procedures Face Closer Scrutiny provides timely information about actions you can take immediately to make your workplace more secure. As an example of upgraded security, in a recent visit to the Michigan Department of Transportation, I noticed that all employees now have access cards and only one entrance is open. A security guard signs visitors into the building. On prior visits, I entered the building at will.

Background Checks

Employers who have not done background checks on potential employees should consider beginning the practice immediately. Not just terrorism-related, you want to know what type of a person you are introducing into your workplace, in general.

Provide Workplace Leadership About the Terrorist Attack and the War

A memo from corporate expressing solace and sympathy for people affected by the September 11 tragedy is not enough. Look for ways, in your workplace, to lead opportunities for mourning and for channeling employee sorrow into productive actions. Some companies have organized donation drives, held fund-raising events and activities, provided time to donate blood and held workplace potlucks to bring employees closer together. Anything you can do to facilitate this process of bringing people together is important.

More Reading: Results of an Employer Survey in the Aftermath of the Atrocity

In a survey of 5,673 employers conducted jointly by the Society for Human Resource Management and eepulse, HR managers pointed out the long term effects they anticipate from the tragedy. You will also find the reactions and actions taken in various workplaces enlightening.

Unfortunately and sadly, with the ongoing war on terrorism, all of the issues addressed here are likely to continue. You can add to this list if you are aware of helpful resources online. I'll post more periodicly to assist site visitors to emerge as strong, confident and competent professionals despite any efforts by terrorists to tear apart the peace-loving people of the world.

Additional Resources

The Society for Human Resource Management has gathered terrorist attack resources.

Comprehensive resource from the Gartner Group: Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity.

About Guides contribute to the coverage of terrorism.

If you are not familiar with John Aravosis' outstanding site about U.S. Politics: Current Events, read his current commentary

Will Amnesty International Defend Me Too?

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