April 22 2020
By: Shawn M. Galloway
Smart organizations, where operations were ceased or minimized, are planning and preparing for the financial best case, worst case and the most likely scenarios for beginning the pursuit of the new normal life after this pandemic. Since no one knows precisely how this will play out across the remainder of 2020, it is critical that all three scenarios are given equal attention. Which scenario are you planning for to bring operations back to normal after COVID-19? It should be all of them.
Best Case Scenario — An individual company can return quickly to normal operations. An urgency to get back to normal cadence of work is likely and so will be confusion over the priorities of production versus safety. Employees are quickly returned to their at-work tasks.
Worst Case Scenario — The stay home orders are extended or are reinstituted if the virus creates a second wave of mass infection. Operations are either still ceased or continue with a skeleton crew of employees. Layoffs, divestiture of parts of the business and/or liquidating some assets is likely.
Most Likely Scenario — Slow return to normal with employees brought back in a prioritized, phased or staggered approach. CDC's guidelines on social distancing, utilizing face masks and washing of hands frequently still in place until further notice. Jobs and the working environment will need to be redesigned to accommodate this reality for the foreseeable future.
Planning for these three scenarios should be given immediate priority. Once the future becomes clear, there will be a financially motivated, immediate push for action. Organizations and their safety leadership must be prepared to present options and guidance.
If there is anything we can do to support your efforts, please consider us a resource. We will get through this together.
Shawn Galloway, CEO of ProAct Safety, is an expert in safety excellence. With almost thirty years of experience, he is a highly sought-after advisor, keynote speaker, and expert witness. Shawn has become a trusted partner to leading organizations across various industries worldwide. He ranks in the top 1% of the most prolific writers in his field, having authored over 500 articles and several bestselling books. He also launched the world's first safety podcast, Safety Culture Excellence©. As a recognized authority in safety, Shawn has received awards such as being named among the Top 50 People Who Most Influence EHS and a Top 10 Speaker, among others.
He is a regular guest on Bloomberg, Fox News, The Daily Mail, Dubai One, U.S. News & World Report, Sirius Business Radio, Wharton Business Daily, and leading safety magazines and podcasts. Shawn also serves as a member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, Forbes Business Council, and Fast Company Executive Board, enabling his influence to shape safety thinking and strategy at the executive level.
