| Your trial subscription ends today -- this is your last free issue of Crisis Communications Daily. Go here to extend your term, only $79/year. Editor’s Note: The Crisis Daily will be on hiatus from Aug. 17—Aug. 21. New issues will resume Monday, Aug. 24. QUOTE OF THE DAY "And once the storm is over, you won't remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won't even be sure whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won't be the same person who walked in. That's what this storm's all about."― Haruki Murakami COVID-19 UPDATE At the time of reporting, The New York Times showed 5,262,791 cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. and 167,165 deaths. Bing’s COVID-19 Tracker reported 5,345,712 cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. and 169,465 fatalities. The CDC is reporting that a mental health crisis is happening in tandem with the COVID-19 crisis with rise in suicidal ideation, substance abuse and other problems. Unemployment aid from Trump’s executive orders is unlikely to reach citizens any time soon as the diverted FEMA money that the orders use require a new system to be put in place to disperse the funds.
Your wellness program is a good start—but workers need more. Here’s what experts say you should be doing to express genuine care and appreciation for your employees.
How can you become an ally as a communicator? Here are some ways your comms team can be the organizational champion for inclusion and equity within your workplace. Can you find the opportunity within the COVID-19 crisis? Here’s how one communicator argues the global pandemic also offers an opportunity for organizations and communicators to evolve and become stronger. Now is the time to prepare for the next crisis. Here are three steps you must take to start to prepare for the next problem organizations will face. That prep work should be considered even as businesses struggle to recover from the global pandemic. Is your mask guidance going far enough? Masks with vents or valves don’t do enough to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the CDC says. Make sure you’re updating your policies around proper mask usage. Find ways to put trust in your employees during this crisis. Here’s how one expert analyzed the remote work statement for Siemens as an example of a great message to stakeholders during these tough times. Ask these three questions to discover your preparedness for long-term remote work. If your workforce isn’t coming back to the office any time soon, your approach to engaging remote workers should look different than it did at the start of the crisis. Childcare poses a major problem for businesses looking to return. In the U.K., closings affecting childcare providers is a serious barrier for many parents in returning to work. In the U.S., the uncertain future of schools has employers and employees scrambling for answers. Some employers are offering a monthly WFH stipend. The money is being used by employees for things form office chairs and technology solutions to wellness apps. Setting strong boundaries is key for finding work/life balance during COVID-19. Is your organization helping employees set boundaries—and enforce them—during WFH? Here’s how one expert sees this as crucial for avoiding burnout during the current crisis. 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 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Communicators Virtual Conference Sept. 17-18 to learn beast practices and tactics for improving diversity and inclusion in your workplace and making your comms programs reflective of your core values and beliefs. Join our Crisis Leadership Board Ragan’s Crisis Leadership Board is the resource you need before, during and after the crisis. As a board member, you have access to all back issues of this newsletter—as well as research, data, case studies, checklists, tip sheets, articles and other resources—plus a peer-to-peer discussion board and an all-access pass to the annual Crisis Management Conference. Sponsorship/Advertising Opportunities Contact Hannah Lavelle at HannahL@ragan.com with sponsorship and advertising inquiries. Pitch Us 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. Your trial subscription ends today -- this is your last free issue of Crisis Communications Daily. Go here to extend your term, only $79/year. | 