Intro: [00:00:04] Broadcasting from the Business RadioX studios, it’s time for Workplace MVP. Workplace MVP is brought to you by R3 Continuum, a global leader in workplace behavioral health, crisis, and security solutions. Now, here’s your host, Jamie Gassmann.

Jamie Gassmann: [00:00:28] Hello, everyone. And welcome to episode zero of our new show, Workplace MVP. I am your host, Jamie Gassmann, and I’d like to share a story with you. Picture a large retailer in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, while other businesses have shut down, this retailer must remain open as it is considered an essential source of food and other household necessities in communities across the United States. Their employees are called upon to work amid rising COVID cases; thereby, increasing their exposure to and potential for catching the virus. Meanwhile, these same employees are dealing with mounting personal stressors, such as kids at home adjusting to distance learning, fear of losing loved ones to the virus, anxiety about bringing COVID home to family members, anxiety about not being able to care for and/or visit elderly relatives, familial job loss and much more.

Jamie Gassmann: [00:01:25] Now, in this case, the company’s HR leaders responded to the crisis and the many workplace challenges it created by intentionally and proactively putting the psychological and physical safety of their employees first. The result, employees felt heard, cared for, safer and appreciated. And in turn, those employees empowered by this support from their company stood on the front lines and served customers while stores remained open. A pandemic may have created extraordinary conditions, which received much more notice, but it’s work like this, which top HR leaders have always done, often in circumstances which don’t get much attention. These leaders hire, train, encourage, protect, advocate for and help create the conditions necessary for employees to succeed in serving customers, fellow employees and the overall company.

Jamie Gassmann: [00:02:24] Doug Conant, former President and CEO of the Campbell Soup Company, notes that the soft stuff, the essential people-focused work, which HR professionals engage in each day, is indeed the hard stuff. So, when in the marketplace, Conant once said, “You must first win in the workplace.” This podcast showcases the impact of those HR, security, risk, continuity and senior leadership professionals who propel their companies to wins in the workplace, so, in turn, their company can win in the marketplace. We call them workplace MVPs, most valuable professionals. Conscientious leaders, who put people first and work to innovatively support their employees in our complex and challenging world. It’s stories like the one I just told you, which we’ll be featuring on Workplace MVP. And they’ll be shared directly with you by the executives, HR professionals, risk managers, security directors, and other organizational leaders who’ve experienced them and had direct accountability and planning for, responding to and leading recovery efforts in the face of crisis and disruption.

Jamie Gassmann: [00:03:35] The reality is that every day, workplaces face disruption, be it the death of an employee or a leader, natural disasters, workplace violence, workplace accidents, robbery, layoffs, pandemic, civil unrest and more. And every day, there are heroic workplace MVPs who respond to those challenges by providing multilevel support and taking proactive steps to prepare for future disruption. Together, we’ll learn lessons, gain inspiration and hope exploring best practices and new approaches.

Jamie Gassmann: [00:04:09] Welcome to Workplace MVP, the source of inspiring stories and best practice approaches to preparing for, responding to and overcoming the challenges of disruption in the workplace. Thank you for joining us and make sure to subscribe, so you see our most recent episodes and supporting resources. If you’re an MVP with a story to share, please email us at workplacemvp@r3c.com. We would love to connect with you.