Being Risk Averse While Job Seeking and Leading During a Pandemic.

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: March 28, 2020 via LinkedIn

This week I had an invite for an on-site job that I was fairly excited about, but then I asked how they were responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The response was, "We're exempt from any restrictions so it is just business as usual." With prodding I learned there were no safety protocols, social distancing or even efforts to protect their customers in place or intended. The position involves quite a bit of daily contact with others. Most of which could be mitigated with some simple procedural changes.

I turned down the position despite the benefits it would provide to my bank account and resume. I turned it down because it didn’t feel worth risking my health, the health of my wife, family and neighbors. It was frightening that there are still businesses operating as if the COVID-19 pandemic will somehow not impact them. That being on an exempt list somehow exempts them from the risk, though not their employees and consumers.

I also received a call from another opportunity that I was both professionally and personally passionate about. They were letting me know that due to the pandemic it didn’t seem responsible to bring in someone whose primary duties included interacting with the public. Not only because we are in the midst of an incredibly unstable moment, but because of the health and safety concerns. I was disappointed, but not surprised. I was also appreciative of their transparency, and concern for their current and potential employees. I'll continue supporting their efforts from afar, and hopefully soon reconnect when the pandemic's most dangerous time has passed us by.

As a job seeker, now is not the time to ignore risks. It is the time to be overly cautious. You can laugh about it later if this all turns out not to be as dangerous as anticipated. You can rue your decisions then, but only with the hindsight that is clear of all dangers fogging our vision. Considering the impacts to the economy, and the continually rising number of infections, deaths and communities impacted it seems likely that overly cautious might not even be cautious enough.

Employees and job seekers please don't take opportunities that don't feel safe. There are too many unknowns during this time. I know that turning down an opportunity can be stressful, frustrating and create major financial strain. It is hard, but the alternatives may be worse. Be part of the reason we can get past this as a society, and know that if your potential employers are willing to risk your health during a pandemic what will they be willing to do when, hopefully, we no longer are? 

Employers please be aware of the risks you're putting your employees and potential employees under. You wield a lot of power, but I am not unaware of the risks you’re facing to your business right now. You are working towards keeping the lights on, people employed and providing a service to your community. Be transparent with your employees. Work to mitigate risks, and take their fears about COVID-19 seriously. Now is not the time to punish people for trying to do the right thing, and stay home. Know that people want to work. They want to make your business a success. Cultivate that desire by developing strategies that will keep them healthy and safe. Those efforts will inspire loyalty that stretches far beyond weekly paychecks. Now is the time to be a leader.

I’m not saying this knowing that there are people who don’t have the luxury of turning down a paycheck, or business owners that are at risk of losing what they’ve built. I’m not saying it to inspire guilt or fear. I’m saying it with that hope that employers with help from elected officials can find creative way to survive this, and welcome returning and new employees into the fold. As a species realize it takes all of us to keep this ship moving forward. Everyone from the very top of the economic food chain to the bottom is providing service to someone else. Be safe. Stay healthy. Help where if you can, and when the dust has settled embrace each other. Then we can all get back to work.