Managing the reputational risks of Covid-19 reopening

By 52M Consulting Ltd

29 May 2020

The Coronavirus lockdown has damaged the economy and put businesses under significant financial pressure, and so it's easy to see why so many are eager to reopen and restart now the Government has begun to reduce restrictions.

So-called 'non-essential' high street shops have been hit particularly hard, but even office-based businesses have been affected.

Many are now busy undertaking Covid-19 risk assessments and thinking about new health and safety measures that will help keep colleagues and customers safe - things like floor stickers to enforce the 2 metre rule, sneeze guards, changes to working practices and working hours, and the installation of hand santiser stations.

However, while they're thinking about the new health and safety risks presented by a return to work during a public health crisis, it's unlikely they will also be thinking through the communications and reputational risks.

Yet they must.

It doesn't take much effort to imagine a scenario where someone that has visited your premises goes on to develop what they think are Covid-19 symptoms and to then (rightly or wrongly) lay the blame at the door of your business.

The reputational impacts of this and other similar scenarios could be far reaching and damage the chances of successfully recovering from the current economic slowdown.

So, what should businesses be doing to get to grips with these reputational risks?

Just like in a health and safety risk assessment, think about all the things that could (reasonably foreseeably) cause a reputational headache, consider how and where details might get into the public domain, explore how these risks could be minimised and then develop mitigation measures - so if a problem does occur, there's a plan in place for dealing with it.

And do it now.

It's particularly important to think through how you might respond to a publicly circulated claim that your business is somehow responsible for the spread of infection, and to do so dispassionately with a cool, calm head.

This is because the very last thing you want to find yourself doing is reacting when something has gone bad and you're under fire in crisis mode - because, in that emotionally distressed state, your decisions won't be as good and you're more likely to make mistakes that compound the problem.

Warren Buffet, boss of Berkshire Hathaway, is commonly referred to as the world's greatest investor. He's credited with this sage advice: "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently."

So, do something differently now. Make time to understand, prepare and plan for the communications and reputational risks of your Covid-19 reopening and restart - it'll help you to secure your recovery for the long term.

If you'd like to explore this topic in more depth, you can sign-up to access free learning materials available online through our Google Classroom. Register here now.

Enjoyed this? Read more from 52M Consulting Ltd

Latest news

1

Meet the influencers who have generated £2m sales for one company Helen and Richard Chalu new

Meet the influencers who have generated £2m sales for one company

16 Oct 2025

2

WHN strengthens position in prestigious legal guide Daniel Long

WHN strengthens position in prestigious legal guide

16 Oct 2025

3

Warden appoints new commercial manager to strengthen project delivery and growth Peter Heskine

Warden appoints new commercial manager to strengthen project delivery and growth

16 Oct 2025

4

Stockley's finds its sweet spot Stockley's front view

Stockley's finds its sweet spot

15 Oct 2025

5

Breck to start £15m Blackpool affordable homes and retail development Cropper Road, Blackpool

Breck to start £15m Blackpool affordable homes and retail development

14 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Chamber Business Lunch – October
LBV Hub Networking
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Chamber Business Lunch – October

Lancaster Golf Club, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ

11:00 - 13:30

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Lancaster District Business Support Expo
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Oct 2025 - 29 Oct 2025

Lancaster District Business Support Expo

The Platform, Morecambe, LA4 4DB

10:00 - 15:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
06 Nov 2025 - 06 Nov 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November

Porsche Centre South Lakes, Carnforth, LA6 1FW

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Roundtables
10 Nov 2025 - 10 Nov 2025

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner

Lancaster Castle, Lancaster, LA1 1YN

14:00 - 16:00

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin