Organizational Crisis Management (Lewis)

ORGANIZATIONAL CRISIS MANAGEMENT:
THE HUMAN FACTOR
by Gerald Lewis, COMPASS, Framingham, Massachusetts, USA

ORGANIZATIONAL CRISIS MANAGEMENT: THE HUMAN FACTOR offers theoretical
background and practical strategies for responding to workplace crises. Responding to a
paradigm that focuses on the operational aspects of continuity to the detriment of human
factors, this volume provides a comprehensive understanding of the unavoidable yet often
complex reactions of workforces to a wide array of organizational disruptions.

Based upon the author's vast experience in the field, this book is a "nuts and bolts" resource
that you can immediately apply to a wide range of organizational environments. Following an
analysis of the workplace as a social milieu, this text offers a methodology for assessing the
impact of various crises, and examines pre-incident mitigation planning. It explores the
psychological reactions of individuals and groups who have experienced crises, investigates
the impact of the workplace displacement, and examines pre- and post-transition strategies.

The book looks at the legal and security aspects of workplace disruption, and details the
specific services, programs, and interventions that should be in place prior to any event. It
concludes by providing guidelines for working with the media, emergency management
agencies, and behavioral health services.

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FEATURES

- Presents material in both theoretical and practical styles, making it easy to read and
immediately applicable in a variety of settings
- Applies to a wide range of workplace environments in both the private and public sectors,
healthcare, and education
- Offers an assessment tool for estimating the impact of a workplace crisis on a workforce
- Includes a workbook that enables you to conduct an organizational culture assessment,
and measure human factor and business impacts of a crisis
- Provides a tool for assessing an organizational continuity plan

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REVIEWS

“A stunning accomplishment! Brilliant concepts that are equally valuable to corporate
management, government planners, employee assistance programs and all crisis
responders. This book has become a vital component of my crisis tool kit.” -- Art Barker, MA,
LPC, Regional Supervisor, Nation Crisis Response Coordinator, United Postal Service EAP

“This book is a must read for all managers concerned with responding to workplace crises.” --
David Lee, Ph.D., Clinical Director, Magellan Health Services

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CONTENTS

UNDERSTANDING THE WORK ORGANIZATION AS A SOCIAL MILIEU
Technology: Our Love/Hate Relationship
From Worker to Employee
The History of Management
Organizational Culture
Lord of the Flies: A Case Example of a Traumatized Culture
Motivation and Morale
Maslow at Work
Passive and Active Trauma
Workplace Toxicity
Premorbid Conditions
References

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AND
Organizational Crisis Management (OCM)
Definitions of Business Disruption Incidents
References

INCIDENT ASSESSMENT: PROACTIVE VERSUS REACTIVE MEASURES
Man-Made I (Single Perpetrator)
Man-Made II (Organized Group)
Organizational Transition
Factor 1: Locus of Impact
Factor 2: Timing
Factor 3: Duration
Factor 4: Impact on Operations
Factors 5 through 9: Damage and Injury
Factor 10: Concurrent Stressors
The Human Impact Assessment Tool (HIAT)
Shooting Incident with Three Dead and Four Wounded
Power Outage
Major Hurricane
References

REACTIONS TO CRISES, TRAUMAS, DISASTERS, CATASTROPHES
Stress
Beyond Stress
Depression
Anxiety and Panic Disorders
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
"PTSD for Dummies"
Substance Abuse
Family Reactions
Critical Incident Stress
References

THE LIFESPAN OF A CRISIS, TRAUMA, DISASTER, CATASTROPHE
Survival Phase (0 to 72 hours)
Support
Adjustment
Resolution
Re(dis)covery
Groups of People Can Go through Stages and Phases
References

THE FIVE "RS"
Contingency 1: Short-Term Release and Return
Contingency 2: Release and Short-Term Relocation
(e.g., power outage, weather, etc.)
The Need for Instant Communication
Contingency 3: Short-Term Relocation or Reassignment
to Alternative Work Site (e.g., fire, flood, etc.)
Contingency 4: Long-Term Reassignment or Non-Return
(e.g., major incident, facility closing, etc.)
Contingency 5: Retaining at Work
Real-Life Learning

LEGAL AND LITIGATION ASPECTS OF CRISES, TRAUMAS, AND
Workplace Disruptions
Overview of Violence and Hostility in the Workplace
The Cost of Workplace Violence
"Preventing?" Workplace Violence
Displaced Domestic Violence
A Comprehensive Job Description
References

KEY ROLES WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE ORGANIZATION
The SAFE-T Team
Management and Leadership
Key Points
References

EMPLOYEE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS
Pre-incident Planning
Family Crisis Plans (FCPs)
Supervisory Training and Employee Education
Evacuation Drills
Employee Services and Interventions
Be Sure That Your EAP Is a Right Fit for Your Company
Information Is the Lifeblood during a Crisis
Media Management
Crisis Intervention
Group Psychological Debriefings
Employee Feedback
Administrative Visibility
Keep Your Head above Water (I Mean "de Nile") Take the Time
The Utilization of Consultants
References

APPENDICES
A
Workbook
Organizational Culture Assessment
Human Factor Impact
Brief Business Impact Analysis

B
Assessment of Organization and Organizational
Continuity Plan
Assess Your Organization's Continuity Planning Committee
Assess Your Workplace Culture
Assessment of Pre-impact Preparedness
Brief Business Impact Analysis
Human Factor Assessment

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2007, 208 pages.
ISBN: 9780849339622
ISBN 10: 0849339626
Order #DR815
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