Guidance for managing employee relations during COVID-19

When crisis strikes, such as a pandemic, the most important thing employers can do is to plan for employee and customer safety and operational continuity. The second most important step is to effectively communicate with employees.

Managers must take into account the human aspect of our global crisis, including additional ideas and feedback from employees and the emotional impact circumstances are having on people.

Let’s review communications that take into account employees’ thoughts and feelings during a pandemic, as well as some messaging tips to consider.

Accept and respond to employee feedback.

Many labor and employment attorneys are anticipating the rise of whistleblower litigation spurred by employees filing discrimination and retaliation lawsuits after reporting or complaining about alleged safety and health violations.

With the rise of employee anxiety over COVID-19, companies can mitigate their risk of such litigation by creating and implementing a channel of employee communication that permits employees to report alleged health and safety violations to the company directly. This can be through an online portal, a hotline, or a separate email address dedicated to receiving such reports.