International Law

Best Behavior During Olympics

By Stan

Yesterday or the day before, I recall a Tweet regarding the PR fallout from a company laying off employees during our current mourning period. That’s an easy call.

But what about the Olympics? Chris raises the issue in China Briefing today:

During the build up to the Olympics - now little more than 12 weeks away - much has been discussed - except good business and morale practice in the treatment of Chinese employees across China while the Olympics take place.

Chris is mostly talking about morale and proactive ways to prevent workplace conflict. Some good suggestions that are also, by the way, inexpensive ways to score major points with staff - which is never a bad thing.

But to tie this in with the issue I was thinking about yesterday: what about layoffs or other negative things that could take place during the Games? What are the risks?

Several comments. First, the government is going to be paranoid during the Games, and anything that rocks the boat (i.e. not harmonious) will not be taken kindly.

Second, there will be a gazillion reporters in town, so watching your step makes sense.

Third, there may very well be a lot of coverage and analysis of the Olympic period after the fact. If a firm was naughty during that time, it could get back to the local authorities for later action.

That being said, there are a couple of countervailing points. Most attention will be on the Games, not what’s going on in a company; this goes for government officials as well as competitors. The Games are mostly taking place in Beijing, so events outside the capital may not receive a great deal of attention. Also, I have a feeling that a lot of enterprises are going to be going in slow motion, if at all, during the period of the Games, so major internal activity is unlikely anyway.

Strange topic, I suppose, but I do think that firms should be on their best behavior this summer.

Full post as published by China Hearsay on May 21, 2008 (boomark / email).