Emergencies can come up at any time - sometimes it’s the weather; others it’s health, financial, or societal. Whatever the cause, there will invariably be some sort of disruption to business-as-usual. This post focuses on our current Covid-19 crisis, but much of the guidance is useful in other situations and all organizations should ensure they have an emergency plan in place and ability to work and communicate from the safety of each’s homes.
We want to share tips so you and your staff remain safe at a time when business-as-usual is not usual at all. Here are some simple steps you can take to remove or minimize risk during interviews and meetings:
If it is not a critical meeting or interview, postpone it and focus on safety for all. It’s that simple.
Do it over the phone. The interview process often starts with a phone screen. Make that your default for now.
Secondary interviews can be done via video (Skype, Zoom, Slack, Google Duo, FB Messenger, etc.) in lieu of face-to-face. Many of these services are free, allow for conferencing multiple participants, and can be accessed through workstations, laptops, and most smart phones in varying degrees.
The above two remote communication options are also a good for keeping in touch with staff during Stay At Home orders (or other emergencies) when work can still be safely done. It’s also a great way to keep the team feeling cohesive.
If in-person meetings are necessary: Hold off the meeting until official guidance instructs that it is safe to do so. Once allowed, use a sanitized conference room or meeting area where all parties can sit at a distance. Skip customary physical greetings and be sure to have hand sanitizer, bottled water, and tissue available for your interviewee. Opening doors for your guest is not only courteous; it allows them to move through your space with a minimal contact - increasing safety for all. Any materials you need to share with the candidate should be prepped in their area ahead of time and sanitized, as needed.
Whatever the situation, but sure to make the safety of those involved your top priority. Only then can we focus on the rest. Stay safe!