Workforce Continuity Planning –Tactics to Deal With Sudden Workforce Disruption

Workplace readiness during COVID-19 needs employers to provide the productivity tools and support employees need to be effective when working remotely.

Seemingly overnight, the coronavirus pandemic has extended the boundaries of how far organizations thought flexible workplace policies could stretch. And organizations that already had a considerable work-from-home workforce before the crisis are finding they need to quickly and unexpectedly expand their remote work schedule for what may be an extended time period.

For companies across all geographies and verticles, workplace disruption might be unavoidable. The organizations who effectively manage that disruption will be well-placed not only to handle business operations throughout the shuffling but better ready for future crises, also. As employees pack up their laptops to work from remote locations and workplace strategists can play a key role in shaping productive, engaging workplace culture and behaviors wherever that work takes place.

1. Appreciate the change curve

For business owners and managers, the change curve is beneficial to understanding the emotions commonly experienced when processing unexpected turns.

2. Straergise your communications and initial steps.

• Strategies internal and external communications in response to particular events, such as templates for an email or primary announcement.
• Write out the message that should go to those who are affected (clients, employees) and establish the process for how the communication will be assigned.
• Next step to consider what other initial steps you would take to manage the circumstances.

3. Encourage wellness, including mental health.

 Direct the employees toward resources that can support and navigate them through this, including the benefits of your organization may offer, such as counseling or stress management. Encourage your people, including managers and leaders, to share how they’re feeling and to speak up if they need support.

4. Encourage a watchful eye for new leaders who emerge from the fire. 

These are extraordinary times. Everyone in the organization — from top to bottom — will be battle-tested. Boards should encourage the management to look out for those who handle quite well in the current environment and provide leadership as everyone endeavors to adapt and support one another using the collaboration tools the company has available. History teaches us about many generations of leaders who have been steeled by extraordinary situations. This challenging environment creates a unique opportunity for team members to shine and show what they are made of. 

Change is unavoidable and necessary for the growth of organizations and manpower, but it can be scary. With the right communication strategies applied, you can ease the transition for your employees and make the smooth implementation of transformation.