An Oklahoma State professor is urging Oklahoma business owners not to panic, admist the coronavirus pandemic.
Dr. Per Bylund says this a time for employers to protect their company by preparing for potential impacts within the organization regarding employees. The Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship says this could be an opportunity to reexamine policies on remote working from home.
"I think many businesses have hesitated for traditionalist reasons, probably. But, this might be an opportunity to let people work from home and let go a little bit and make sure that they just do the work in their own time and to the degree possible."
Dr. Bylund adds that employers shouldn't send workers home without pay and without a choice, as many don’t have a buffer they can fall back on if they are let go.
He says it’s also a good time to look at the value provided to customers, and come up with contingency plans in the event of a possible recession.
Dr. Bylund says employers need to immediately contact suppliers and customers, so everyone can work together for a solution during these difficult times.
