A recent survey by Weber Shandwick found more than half of working Americans said their employers have not addressed the effect of the economy either on their companies or their jobs.
According to PRWeek, “In its survey of 514 employed Americans, the agency found that 70 percent expected the current economic situation to have a negative effect on the companies they work for, while 62 percent of those said their companies would have trouble meeting its goals.
And although 54 percent said their company leaders have stayed mum on the effect of the financial turmoil, nearly three-quarters said their colleagues are discussing the possibilities.”
I’m a business owner and I would be appalled if our staff assumed the current economic situation was to have a negative effect on them without hearing that straight from me. We are communicators and we discuss the financial crisis weekly, and sometimes daily, as it relates to our business and to our client’s businesses.
People would rather hear negative news and know how to prepare for or fix the situation than be surprised one day. This survey is a good reminder to all of us that is our jobs to help our clients tell their stories internally consistently so fear and surprise is eliminated.