Times of crisis have a way of shining a light on an organization’s true colors.
Although fear, change, and health concerns have experienced all-time highs and lows over the past few months, there have more recently been moments where humanity comes together, and for a split second, it feels like things are going to be okay.
Let’s talk about one of the silver linings of the current global pandemic: Companies that are doing the right thing.
The good (read: heartwarming) news is that quite many companies are stepping up to help during this time of need.
This is particularly special to us in the Integrity Initiative, not only because it is our mission (empowering organizations to do the right thing) but also because this is truly the standard that organizations should be held to. Now more than ever, ethics matter. How your organization navigates Covid-19 matters.
I have seen a good number of companies in the Philippines who have been and still are contributing to the greater good during the pandemic (again: silver lining) so I will focus on some inspiring ways that organizations are doing the right thing:
1. Pivoting to hand sanitizer
As the pandemic emerged, consumers began clearing shelves of hand sanitizers quickly causing shortages. A handful of unexpected heroes have helped by pivoting factories to produce the much-needed solution and donating it to health-care workers who needed supplies the most.
2. Making masks
Masks have become another critical item in short supply. While the debate over who should wear masks went on for weeks, medical workers and hospitals ran critically low on their only line of defense against the virus. It’s worth noting that many companies have done their part by donating their goods, or services, to help health-care workers. Some companies have switched their production to making masks, or PPEs.
3. Supporting local communities
Some organizations are providing relief to the areas their employees and communities have been most impacted, like providing food and health assistance, recycling programs, community cleanups, blood drives, etc.
4. Taking care of employees
While the unemployment rate has continued to spike, some employers have taken steps to protect their employees from both a financial and health standpoint.
5. Keeping services going
On the consumer side of things, telecommunications companies are doing their part to help customers who may have fallen on hard financial times. The same goes for power and water suppliers.
6. Designing ventilators
According to the latest numbers, 10 percent of patients infected by Covid-19 will require respiratory support machines. Companies across many industries have answered the global call for ventilators, and while these companies are not expected to profit from this pivot, it does help secure the employment for their staff at a time when many would otherwise have to shut down production.
7. Making substantial donations
Another way organizations are helping during this time is financially, by making generous donations to Covid-19 relief efforts.
8. Keeping classroom learning
With the shelter in place and lockdown orders in place, not only has work shifted online (where possible) but schools and education have been severely interrupted as they transition to a new virtual learning format. To help ease these transitions, a few companies have stepped up to the plate.
9. Working on a solution
While making a medical breakthrough has obvious financial benefits, this does not diminish the value that it would provide worldwide. The good news is biotech companies globally are responding faster than ever to emerging health threats with 21 companies currently working on a vaccine or treatment. Organizations in the Philippines have joined the hunt for solutions.
How is your organization doing the right thing?
Thanks go to each and every company doing something to help through the crisis. It has been very uplifting to see organizations of all sizes leap to humanity’s aid.
We need silver linings these days. Keep them coming. If your companies have contributed along the silver linings shown above or beyond, let me know so that I can publish it—contact me at schumacher@eitsc.com
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