As global events continue to challenge workers and the world, organizations can play a critical role in helping their employees cope. Workplaces can help buffer the negative effects of current events by fostering focus and civility at work and by providing an environment where these issues are discussed in productive ways that encourage informed perspectives and healthy coping behaviors. Organizations that fail to adopt these practices risk letting current events distract workers from their jobs, which can erode productivity at an important time.
Politically-charged social movements have taken shape and grown in the United States. These include protests over racist policing, as well as the growing recognition that racial and other forms of oppression are systemic and rooted in institutional structures. These movements have also raised the visibility of the plight of many marginalized groups, including children, whose lives are particularly at risk due to COVID-19, economic pressures, and the ever-worsening effects of climate change.
In addition, the United Nations and its specialized agencies continue to work tirelessly on improving people’s lives throughout the globe. Whether it’s disaster relief, fighting for women’s rights, or pursuing peaceful uses of atomic energy, the UN is always working to help people.