A COO’s Worst Assignment

Delivering tough news to my employees in the time of COVID-19

Days after the best month in my event production company’s 30-year history, we told most of the 400+ employees at our Dallas corporate office and across 80+ U.S. locations that they no longer had a paycheck. COVID-19 dried up our business seemingly overnight. As the COO, making this announcement was depressing, nauseating, and emotionally exhausting. And I still had a job.

Those who lost their paycheck include a graphics designer whose wife gave birth days earlier, a production manager who married the weekend prior, and a long-tenured manager whose spouse lost their job and health benefits a couple weeks ago. The looks of fear and sadness were gut wrenching. The tears and tremoring voices were heartbreaking. At a time when I should be growing our team I tore it down.

In the weeks ahead stories like mine will number in the millions. Wait staff, hotel clerks, flight attendants and others will be among the employment victims of this scourge.

Yet the way my team handled their dire circumstances gives me hope. Some, inexplicably, consoled me for delivering the tough news. Another peacefully embraced his new cross by responding “God will take care of everything.” One remaining employee even offered up his paycheck so a co-worker could keep theirs. My team showed me something stronger than the coronavirus. They showed me the human spirit fearlessly budding anew. In the face of an adversary that has humanity in a literal chokehold they are resolute in hope.

They are why it matters that we do our part and get through this pandemic.

As a veteran, I am thankful for every Washington war memorial that honors those who sacrificed for our way of life. When this trial is over, I hope we add to that ring of honor the millions involved in this great pandemic fight. May the fallen, the healthcare heroes, and the jobless victims be counted in our country’s litany of “Never Forgotten.”

Until that day, let’s do all we can as citizens, communities and government to get folks through this trial.

Let us handle this coronavirus like Americans. Shoulder a share of our neighbor’s burden. Support those fighting like hell to vanquish this virus. Then, when Mother Freedom once again starts ringing her bell, get folks back to work and celebrate our heroes.