When handling a crisis, it can be easy to overlook the critical role your Human Resources staff can play in managing crisis within your organisation.
One example is the international pandemic COVID-19. As the pandemic spread and disease rates and fatalities heightened, people’s emotional and psychological well-being were horribly affected. Your HR team can prevent/manage a crisis internally by applying the following tips:
- Employee Relations: In the event of a catastrophe, the HR team should ensure workers are in sound health and strong enough to keep on working. If some employees cannot continue functioning, the HR team must offer the resources needed to assist the workers to recover from or cope with the crisis. The HR person also can work with team managers to set up other staff members that can fill in for the employees unable to continue work
- Coaching: HR should prepare workers ahead for crisis situations by organizing and coordinating emergency management training/workshops/drills which will equip workers with the knowledge of how to manage crisis situations
- Internal Crisis Prevention: If staff are experiencing psychological or physical stress at home or at work, they will likely inform the HR team. If HR professionals handle sensitive issues properly, such intervention can prevent full-blown crisis situations
- Talent acquisition: The HR team is trained to employ the best talent to fill various positions within the organization. It’s therefore pertinent that during or before a catastrophe, they scout for the best service or put together the best staff to manage the emergency.
- Crisis Communication: HR is the connection between employees and management. As a result, when there’s a catastrophe, workers look to the leaders and HR team for information and guidance on what is next. Without proper communication, workers may not have the ability to function efficiently. However, once the HR team is well trained in crisis communication and management, it is possible to expect proper team direction and little or no lag at worker productivity
Need to coach your HR team about Crisis communication and management? Reach out to us via info@caritaspr.com. We deploy the best crisis management and communication training that helps HR teams thrive when managing crisis situations.