We are all aware of the increasing risk of civil unrest in American cities as federal and national guard troops are deployed. For business owners, this isn’t just a headline—it’s a business continuity issue. Disruption can impact employee morale, safety, operations, supply chains, and reputation. The time to prepare is before a crisis hits. At Equinox, we help organizations build legal infrastructure to withstand stress—and adapt to changing conditions. Here are some best practices so you’re ready:
Review Your Insurance Coverage. Ensure your policies cover civil commotion, vandalism, and business interruption. Many standard policies exclude these risks.
Assess Physical and Cyber Security. Evaluate vulnerabilities in your facilities and digital infrastructure. Civil unrest can trigger both physical and online threats.
Clarify Leadership Roles in Emergencies. Governance matters most under pressure. Define who makes decisions, how they’re made, and what protocols apply.
Engage Employees in Preparedness. Train staff on safety procedures, remote work contingencies, and respectful dialogue in tense environments.
Keep a Pulse on Employee Morale. These events will build anxiety in most employees regardless of their demographics, immigration status or political affiliation. Clear communication and policies will help employees feel safe at work.
Evaluate Contractual Terms. Ensure you are able to satisfy contract terms and notify partners if there’s a risk of breach.
Update Crisis Communication Plans. Who speaks for your business in a crisis? How will you communicate with employees, customers, and the public?
If this sounds a lot like our advice to you in response to COVID, you’re right! It’s all risk evaluation, preparation, and management. Hopefully, you’ve already got some of these systems in place and simply need to revisit them.
Resilience starts with planning. Please reach out if you need support in getting your plan in place.
