How Organizations Are Responding To The COVID-19 Pandemic
Most companies struggle to draft strategies and policies to protect their employees, partners, and clients from the impact of COVID-19. Here’s how companies are responding to the pandemic.
People worldwide have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and most companies are doing their level best to contain the virus. They are also trying to reduce the impact of deadly diseases. The leading companies are also taking steps to protect employees, customers, and communities. Below are ways big enterprises are responding to the evolving COVID-19 crisis.
1. Forming Teams Crisis Management
Most organizations have created crisis management committees to find solutions to the challenges posed by the coronavirus. The groups meet regularly to formulate policies and provide the needed information to the executives. The information that they collect and analyze helps to plan on the measures they should take.
Alongside the plans, they also cover issues like protocols on how employees can work remotely, senior employees’ succession, transfer of the organization’s operation to less affected departments, among other measures.
2. Developing Good Diagnosis Protocols
There are vital stipulations to be made when an employee of an organization is diagnosed with coronavirus. The procedures working in most organizations include asking employees to report confirmed cases concerning them or their family members to the human resource department.
If there is any infected employee, they must remain at home until they are cleared to get back to work. Most companies also conduct contact tracing among their employees and clients. They also disinfect the office and business premises to prevent further infections.
3. Tightening the Travel Requirements
In many countries, traveling, both locally and internationally, is limited. Most companies are requesting employees to avoid air travel at all costs to minimize the spread of the infection. Others ask employees to avoid face-to-face meetings and minimize public transport and large gatherings, social events, and conferences. For the individuals who must travel, they are directed to take 14 days of self-quarantine.
4. Supporting Drug and Vaccine Development
Reputable pharmaceutical companies globally are putting significant efforts to diagnose, treat, and prevent COVID-19. The firms are doing a lot of research about a possible vaccine to prevent the spread. The companies have many years and good experience in kinase screening and drug development.
Some businesses support these pharmaceutical companies with funds for research and development of diagnostics procedures, treatments, and vaccines.
5. Supporting Local Communities
Most organizations are making great contributions to support communities all over the world during these challenging economic times. The firms are redirecting part of their revenues to the community-based relief programs. Some businesses are also offering free medical supplies and protective equipment to respond to the pandemic.
Some companies are running programs to offer total support to vulnerable communities. Others offer donations, grants, and social support during crises.
6. Offering Paid Sick Leave
Some companies allow employees to take paid leave if they get infected with the virus. Also, employees can get a month or two of paid leave to self-quarantine or take care of their loved ones who may have contracted the virus.
As the pandemic spreads globally, several companies have initiated philanthropic programs. They are donating cash, medical supplies, volunteering, and creating infrastructure to combat the crisis. Your business can also help fight COVID-19 by taking any of these steps.