Crisis Communication

 

          I have worked at Sobeys for four years now and not many situations happened that we are not prepared for, that is until Covid. As most of you know Covid hit Canada and the day it did people went into a full-fledged panic. The grocery stores like Sobeys were out of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and we were low on cans and bread. Like many others we were not prepared for Covid, we were testing new systems out left and right and the customers were not happy. We were in a communication crisis with the customers because we did not have a plan and we were seeing what worked best and which option was the safest for employees and customers. That being said, we came up with a plan fast. We had someone counting customers at the door, we whipped carts, and tills after every use, we had one single line with social distancing with someone who directed the lines and we no longer bag groceries. As soon as we found the plan that was the most efficient and safest we immediately communicated this plan to our customers. Although the customers were frustrated in the beginning they have gotten used to our new system and have gotten used to these changes. As for Sobeys we now have a plan for Covid that allows workers to efficiently and safely and allows customers to get their food in a safe mater.