October 10, 2023
Fortune recently published an article featuring Professor of the Practice, Management and Organizations, David Almeda discussing the concern about the war in Israel within workplaces.
It’s tempting to avoid any discussion of violence in the Middle East, a complex topic that stirs strong feelings. However, it’s vital that managers communicate with their employees. A company can do this by focusing on employee safety, letting employees know that everyone is secure, and keeping an eye on them. Managers are encouraged to implement flexibility with employees’ schedules and acknowledge that suffering is occurring around the world. It’s also crucial to remind team members that they can reach out if they need assistance or have any concerns.
Almeda states, “Get it right [and] employees will feel aligned with the organization’s culture and values. Get it wrong [and] employees may distance themselves from the organization philosophically, reduce the amount of discretionary effort they put in, and, in some cases, may consider finding a place to work that more closely aligns with them as an individual.”
Ultimately, companies need to keep an eye on the future and stay nimble. In the coming days and weeks, workplace managers must prepare for additional issues. Employees may request extended leave to deal with the fallout of the conflict, thus it is important to be prepared for anything.