Ask a Manager's Alison Green on what to do if your company or boss isn't taking the coronavirus seriously

Alison GreenMay 15, 2020, 22:04 IST

If you're company isn't reacting responsibly, there are steps you can take.Shutterstock

"Ask A Manager" is a blog run by Alison Green, a workplace advice columnist and the author of Ask a Manager: How to Navigate Clueless Colleagues, Lunch-Stealing Bosses, and the Rest of Your Life at Work.
She recently offered advice to employees whose companies aren't reacting appropriately — whether by offering inadequate solutions or none at all — to the global pandemic and surrounding panic.
Green recommends that employees band together to make their concerns known to upper management, speak with their HR representative, and advocate for fellow colleagues.
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I am getting a lot of mail about the coronavirus, and one common theme is employers who aren't acting with any urgency at all — not having people work from home where they can, not canceling travel or events, etc. Here's some advice if you're in that situation.

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9. Be an ally to others

Support your coworkers and friends through this challenging time. Marco_Piunti/Getty

8. If you're job searching and are invited to interview in-person, it's completely reasonable right now to ask to do it by phone or video chat

Take the safest option available. simonkr/Getty Images

7. "Stay home if you feel sick" is not a good enough policy

By the time you feel sick, it may be too late. RubberBall Productions/Getty

6. If you can work from home and you're choosing not to, please reconsider

Don't put others at risk. 10'000 Hours/Getty Images

5. If your company hasn't approved remote work for people whose jobs can be done from home and you are in a higher-risk group, say you need an exception

If you are able to work from home, do so. Shutterstock/goodluz

4. If your company has said it encourages people to work from home but your own manager isn't backing that up, talk to HR

Voice your concerns to your HR representative. mixetto/Getty Images

3. Talk about your company's obligations to its workers, many of whom will be in higher-risk groups or live with people who are, but also, appeal to their own self-interest

Remind your boss of their responsibility. Westend61/Getty Images

3. Talk about your company's obligations to its workers, many of whom will be in higher-risk groups or live with people who are, but also, appeal to their own self-interest

2. Try peer pressure

Share what you know about the crisis. Thomas Barwick/Getty Images

1. One of the most effective things you can do is to band together with other coworkers and push back as a group

Band together. ESB Basic/Getty Images

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Ask a Manager's Alison Green on what to do if your company or boss isn't taking the coronavirus seriously

9. Be an ally to others

8. If you're job searching and are invited to interview in-person, it's completely reasonable right now to ask to do it by phone or video chat

7. "Stay home if you feel sick" is not a good enough policy

6. If you can work from home and you're choosing not to, please reconsider

5. If your company hasn't approved remote work for people whose jobs can be done from home and you are in a higher-risk group, say you need an exception

4. If your company has said it encourages people to work from home but your own manager isn't backing that up, talk to HR

3. Talk about your company's obligations to its workers, many of whom will be in higher-risk groups or live with people who are, but also, appeal to their own self-interest

2. Try peer pressure

1. One of the most effective things you can do is to band together with other coworkers and push back as a group