STAT OF THE DAY

According to research from Deal Aid, 51% of consumers are less likely to purchase from organizations that hinder employee self-expression on Black Lives Matter and racial justice. Also, 44% of consumers are more likely to buy from businesses that visibly support the cause.

COVID-19 UDPATE

• At the time of reporting, The New York Times showed 4,679,714 cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. and 155,336 deaths. Bing’s COVID-19 Tracker reported 4,749,138 cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. and 157,179 fatalities.
• President Trump is at odds with Dr. Deborah Birx, one of his top pandemic advisors, after she sounded the alarm in a CNN interview, calling the virus “extraordinarily widespread.”
• A new stimulus bill has stalled in Congress over debates about increased unemployment insurance, with the White House looking to drop the $600 benefit to $200.

How you can foster trust during the pandemic. Here are some important steps you can take to help build on key relationships during this uncertain time from a top communicator with the TSA.

Emphasize transparency on sustainability work. If you are trying to take the lead with corporate social responsibility on issues like climate change, here are some important questions you should consider.

How are you making your CEO available to stakeholders? One top leader took advantage of instant messenger to connect with employees who have been working from home since March, replacing his open-door policy.

More than half of job seekers say culture just as important as salary. Here are some ways potential new hires say they are looking at your organization and its reputation—and actions you can take to become an employer of choice.

TikTok leader addresses potential sale of U.S. operations. Zhang Yiming says he hopes ByteDance, which owns TikTok, will become a transformational global company, but acknowledges short-term difficulties.

His memo says:

While we encounter mounting complexities across the geopolitical landscape and significant external pressure, our response teams have been working around-the-clock and giving up their weekends over the past few weeks to ensure the best possible outcome. Although many details cannot be shared at this stage (due to the confidential nature of pending matters), I would still like to share my thoughts with you on the subject in the spirit of transparency.

Foster kindness in the workplace. Here are some ways you can push for harmony with your colleagues and inspire generosity, a balm to anxious and exhausted employees during the ongoing pandemic.

Are daily check-ins necessary for remote workers? One writer suggests that constant suspicion about whether your employees are actually working or just browsing Netflix all day can lead workers to overcompensate—and burnout.

Portland Whole Foods workers walk out over employee dress code. A former employee says he was forced to resign when he refused to remove a button that said, “Racism has no place here.” Activists said the move was unjust and his colleagues walked off the job in protest Sunday.

Yahoo reported:

Whole Foods' website declares "Racism has no place here," but the button was not made by Whole Foods. The store's policy bans "any visible slogans, messages, logos or advertising that are not company-related, on any article of clothing."

Beware your messaging around asking consumers and visitors to sign liability documents. Some organizations (like universities) are asking visitors to sign away the right to sue if they become ill, or worse, from the coronavirus. The action could be a problem for your PR department, and should be weighed carefully as you chart your way back to reopening.

Dunkin responds after a Chicago cop finds mucus in his coffee. The coffee chain sought to distance itself from the employee amid heightened tensions between police and the public over police brutality and racial justice.

CNN reported:

Immediately after the incident, the issue was investigated and Sessler was terminated from his job, a Dunkin' spokesperson told CNN. "The type of behavior reported to us is inconsistent with the brand's values," the spokesperson said. "Dunkin' has a deep appreciation for police officers who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe, and the franchise owner has reached out directly to the officer to apologize for the experience."

Special Report

Get a free copy of Ragan’s Crisis Leadership Board’s “Organizational Responses to Black Lives Matter,” a concise and meaningful review of how 10 brands responded to the Black Lives Matter movement—from best to worst—and the lessons taken from each response.

Virtual Conference Alert

Join us for Ragan’s Brand Storytelling During a Crisis Virtual Conference Aug. 4-5 to learn the latest tips on telling your brand story and protecting your reputation during these uncertain and tumultuous times.

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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.

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