We have been advising clients on Operational Resilience and Business Continuity for years and observed certain trends and gaps that repeatedly emerge. While regulatory changes are inevitable, the most significant change in the resiliency landscape first came to our attention nearly eight years ago and has since been exacerbated by the post-COVID working model.
This became especially clear during an engagement with a large metropolitan hospital system in South Florida. After completing their Business Continuity and IT recovery plans, a brutal hurricane struck the region, causing power outages and road closures. Our plans accounted for these disruptions, including provisions to have off-road vehicles transport essential staff who were stranded. However, we hadn’t considered the human element—some employees were unwilling to leave their families in a crisis situation.
Fast forward to today’s post-COVID environment. The majority of clients we work with now have large populations of 100% remote workers, often located in areas where commuting to an office is not feasible. In the past few years alone, we’ve witnessed numerous man-made and natural events—such as the Ohio train derailment, Maui fires, Vermont floods, and the Perrytown natural gas explosion, all displaced remote workers for an extended period. Previous years saw similar crises, including the Jackson, Mississippi water crisis, the Texas power outage, and the Ellicott City flash floods.
When interviewing business departments with remote workers, we pose the question on how they plan to maintain operations if employees lose access to their home offices (due to power outages, internet loss, or regional crises), the most common response is, “They can work from Starbucks.” To test this, I tried it myself. I packed up my laptop and went to a local Starbucks, but as expected, the noise and distractions made it nearly impossible to work effectively. Their plan isn’t a plan.
This is where a Corporate Sanctuary Program becomes critical.
Corporate Sanctuary: Beyond Traditional Business Continuity
Business Continuity has traditionally focused on maintaining operational systems during crises, such as power outages or natural disasters. However, the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the limitations of a purely systems-based approach. While many companies managed to pivot to remote work, they struggled when employees faced personal challenges—health risks, caregiving duties, or displacement.
A Corporate Sanctuary Program takes Business Continuity a step further. It provides physical or virtual spaces where employees and their families can find safety and support during disruptive events. Whether due to natural disasters, political unrest, or personal emergencies, this program ensures employees can remain focused, productive, and healthy.
This approach fosters resilience at a deeper level—incorporating not only technology and operations but also human well-being. As crises become more frequent and unpredictable, business leaders must adopt a more holistic approach to resilience.
Why Corporate Sanctuary Programs Matter
- Safeguarding Employee Productivity
When disaster strikes, remote workers may lose access to secure, functional environments. Hurricanes, floods, and wildfires can displace them from their homes, disrupting both personal lives and work. Without proper support, employees may struggle to maintain productivity, leading to operational slowdowns.
A Corporate Sanctuary Program addresses this by offering alternative safe spaces for displaced workers. These solutions may include temporary hoteling arrangements or financial assistance to secure accommodations. By ensuring that employees, their family, and pets have a stable environment, businesses can minimize disruptions and continue operating during large-scale crises.
- Ensuring Employee Well-Being
Operational Resilience isn’t just about keeping systems running—it’s about ensuring that the people operating those systems are healthy, both physically and mentally. Displacement and prolonged stress can take a toll on employees, impacting their performance and engagement.
A 2023 Deloitte study showed a clear link between employee well-being and productivity. Companies that prioritize well-being see 21% higher productivity and significantly lower turnover rates. A Corporate Sanctuary Program helps maintain morale and engagement by providing employees with a secure space to focus on both personal safety and their work.
- Strengthening Loyalty and Trust
When companies provide more than just financial assistance during crises, they send a powerful message: “We care about you, not just as an employee, but as a person.” This fosters loyalty and long-term retention. Employees are more likely to stay with companies that offer meaningful, timely support during challenging times.
A Corporate Sanctuary Program exemplifies this commitment. By offering displaced workers temporary housing, family services, and flexible working options, organizations demonstrate their dedication to employee well-being. This, in turn, strengthens corporate culture and employee loyalty.
- Addressing the Needs of Remote Workforces
Remote workers face unique challenges during emergencies, especially when they lose access to home offices due to regional crises. A Corporate Sanctuary Program ensures these employees are not left behind by offering virtual sanctuaries such as alternative workspaces, or even backup power solutions.
- Supporting Families as Part of the Workforce
In times of crisis, supporting employees often means supporting their families too. A Corporate Sanctuary Program can include provisions like temporary family housing/hotelling and childcare assistance. This holistic approach allows employees to focus on their work with peace of mind, knowing their families are safe and supported.
Corporate Sanctuary: A Pillar of Resilience Strategy
Implementing a Corporate Sanctuary Program is no longer a luxury but a necessity in today’s volatile environment. As crises such as climate change, political instability, and public health threats continue to disrupt our world, organizations must move beyond traditional continuity planning.
By creating a safe haven for employees and their families during crises, businesses can maintain productivity, strengthen loyalty, and ensure long-term Operational Resilience. This people-first approach transforms adversity into opportunity, enabling businesses to emerge stronger and better equipped to thrive in the face of any challenge.
Conclusion
The Corporate Sanctuary Program is an innovative response to the growing need for resilience in the workplace. As crises become more frequent and unpredictable, companies must be proactive in supporting their workforce. By establishing safe spaces for employees and their families, businesses not only maintain productivity but also build long-term resilience, loyalty, and trust.
By taking a human-centered approach to crisis management, organizations can ensure that they are not only prepared for the unexpected but also equipped to support their most critical asset—their people—every step of the way.
Editors Note
This morning the news feed had the evacuation in Deer Park Texas due to a pipeline fire. Residents have no timeframe to return to their homes.
