5 Ways American Business Is Managing & Giving Back Amid A Global Crisis
April 22, 2020
By Rob Jesmer
With business across the country affected in a nationwide effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, American companies and their trade associations ranging from iconic national brands to Main Street small businesses are stepping up to give back by coming together to support the community as we face this crisis together.
As global supply chains continue to be strained, American employers are breaking from their typical operations and creatively redeploying their workforce and manufacturing capabilities to produce equipment for our health care workers on the front lines. Small manufacturers are leveraging their operations to make medical masks and face shields, while large companies such as General Motors and Ford are retrofitting manufacturing plants to produce ventilators and other protective equipment.
Meanwhile, as Americans heed social distancing guidance and stay-at-home orders, businesses are also supporting their employees, communities and customers by providing relief for those whose lives have been upended. Many are offering free services for those working or learning from home and delaying bills for customers harmed by the economic fallout of the pandemic. And business associations are working to keep people connected and informed at the same time as this crisis unfolds across the country.
American businesses and their trade associations are going above and beyond to support the nation during these difficult times. Here are five ways they are switching their focus and doing good during a time of crisis:
- Anheuser-Busch: Amid a shortage of hand sanitizer, AB InBev is using their facilities and logistics networks to produce and distribute over one million bottles of hand sanitizer and disinfectants. The company says it will continue to look for other ways to support the country throughout the duration of the crisis.
- Charter Communications: As telecom companies work to keep Americans connected during this crisis, Charter is investing in their workforce by permanently raising their minimum wage to $20 per hour for all employees. Further, to support students, teachers and parents moving to remote learning and using online classrooms, Charter is providing free Internet for families with K-12 students.
- Google: Through an $800 million fund, Google is providing advertising credits to support small- and medium-sized businesses, health organizations and governments, as well as donations to support NGOs and financial institutions distributing relief to businesses. Google is also supporting funding for academic institutions and researchers on the front line of researching a vaccine and therapies to treat COVID-19.
- Dominion Energy: With unemployment claims at record highs, Dominion Energy has launched an effort to support their customers in need by suspending all service disconnections and reconnecting any customers whose service was previously shut off for non-payment.
- American Health Care Association (AHCA): Nursing homes and assisted living communities across the country have implemented policies restricting visitors to keep vulnerable populations safe. While a critically important step, it has also severely limited residents’ ability to communicate with their loved ones. As a way to show residents and caregivers support, AHCA launched carenotcovid.com, a website where the public can share messages of support and stay connected with their loved ones.
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