Workplace Ethics Changing in Coronavirus Pandemic
Coronavirus pandemic has to change the world as we all know it. We should make no mistake about it, as sure as this is a health crisis. It is also a crisis of work ethics. There are some of the proactive decisions. They must be taken by many of the best business leaders from now onwards. This will be made now so that to continue work in pandemic and guide them after the coronavirus crisis subdues.
Psychologist Abraham Maslow’s has given hierarchy of needs is as helpful in business as in understanding human security. He observed following the Wells Fargo false-account sales scandal.
Put, to contribute productively, and people need their basic needs met. Businesses were not asked to directly ensure the physical safety, food, and shelter needs of their employees. They may do in times of natural pandemics and disasters. Employers acknowledge the uncertainty we all are facing now. We all are trying to decrease the stress of the daily duties of employees. We suspect changes will be remembered in the workforce. The relationship between employee and employer has depreciated. It has never been as critical as to the success of the business.
Correct Information
Journalists, educators, and legislators are `pushing for higher accuracy standards. The debate has raged about whether to rein in social media platforms, and companies are asked to validate information sources on their platforms.
Credible News
Apple is critically evaluating apps to ensure data sources are reputable. The developers are presenting these apps from recognized entities like government organizations, health NGOs, companies credentialed in the health sector, medical or educational institutions. Everything is done in the name of a credible news source in the middle of the virus outbreak. Many sites are showing that they will provide links to only valid health-related sites. When we are in a global medical crisis, validity and credibility should still be standards.
Special services for individual customers
Customer programs for their loyalty must be initiated. They must be treated or given some customers related discounts in comparison to others. The pandemic is affecting their business. Businesses should find other ways to add value to their services and products. Many grocers can institute early happy shopping hours for senior citizens and women, who are considered most vulnerable to Corona. Stores can find ways to serve seniors with exceptional care after the virus subsides.
Healthcare for everyone
Companies across the world should re-evaluate healthcare policies to protect daily workers. Companies with health benefits for the employees should position to help in time of need. They should focus on their customers more fully and retain employees more efficiently. It will still be a long walk to return to typical work routine.
Provide emotional support for jobs
Many companies are asking their content moderators not to come to the office and are making them many employees to work from home. Facebook is one of the companies to recognize the different toll job takes on employees. It wants to provide support for all in the workplace. The company is exposed to liabilities if work is done from home. Employees would benefit from such relief. A new generation of workers expects mental health support at the workplace.
Respecting Educators
A well-trained and resilient workforce is the need of the hour for businesses right now. It is heartwarming to see the tweets from parents, struggling to home-school children, and now making statements on the net about the value of teachers. We must not forget this gesture when students return to school.
Avoid overload Information
People always need quality and useful information. It was right before the outbreak of coronavirus, and it will be valid even when Corona subsides. Not every business needs to communicate with customers now, and some are eroding relationships with them. They are needlessly choking the flow of legitimate and life-saving information.
Tolerant schedules for flexible work
It is good that we are all learning how to share our desktops on Zoom ZM. It is a business imperative. But it’s even better than we are laughing. The dog barks or baby interrupts as many of us are in shelter-in-place gelled together. Significantly, the situation is longer than the virus period of incubation.
Trust intolerant violations
Customers have started paying attention to the small type in website privacy and use policies now that their home is their office. Even before COVID-19, confidence in leadership was at its all-time low. It is even lower than in the past. Sure, the Zoom platform offers flexibility, but it also uses surveillance features and acknowledges it might sell your data.
Planning
Preparedness for an emergency is not hilarious at all. It is even done exceptionally well but gets no one promoted to any higher post. But anyone in the executive or leadership role, of any kind, can be obligated to make sure it is getting done.
Dignity and Respect
Employees and customers want more of what they have always wanted from businesses. Dignity and respect were other than a means to an end. It should be treated honestly and bearing a share of risks and harms in the workplace. It is equal or greater to the benefits they have received.
None of the above ethics are new. But the responsiveness of the companies to these workplace ethics is now making a difference. If these measures had been in place already, as an ordinary course of improving businesses, shareholders would undoubtedly be in a better position. Let this crisis be a lesson: What’s suitable for people is good for business.