The Tale of Two Organizations during the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19, otherwise known as the Novel Coronavirus, has been an extremely scary pandemic that has been spreading across the world, with many fighting for their lives at home or in hospitals (World Health Organization, 2020). Its global impact, both health wise and financial, will not be fully realized until after COVID-19 no longer continues to infect in such a quick fashion and with sheer numbers. Sports leagues are suspending or canceling their seasons, some companies are directing employees to stay home, with or without pay, while some companies and government organizations are still requiring all personnel to come to work every day…its a very confusing situation with leaders making varied choices.  However, we do know that the virus does not discriminate and will infect anyone it comes in contact with.

Financially, it has rattled global stock markets, hurt many industries, and impacted employees of large and small companies.  Companies in the travel and vacation industries have already felt this impact and have had to make tough decisions. Both Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line have made decisions with people’s safety and lives in the last two days. One of these companies has chosen to think that saving lives is in the best interest of everybody and the other cruise line has chosen to deceptively try and lure people into taking a cruise.

Today Jan Swartz, the CEO of Princess Cruises, announced that they are cancelling all cruises until May 10, 2020 and will even provide refunds to anyone who cancelled after February 3, 2020. Jan Swartz said that she believed that it was the “right decision and in line with the company’s core values” (Princess Cruises, 2020). While this may impact Princess Cruises’ financial stability, Jan Swartz made an ethical, moral, and safe decision for their guests. Jan Swartz probably took a moment to think how guests and her own employees would fare during these cruises and chose humanity over money.

However, it was reported yesterday that Norwegian Cruise Line is directing their employees to “lie to protect the company’s bookings” (Miami New Times, 2020). Employees were told to tell current and future customers that there were no issues and if COVID-19 was brought up, that they would tell them that COVID-19 “was not a problem in warm climates, like the Caribbean” and the “warm weather will be the end of the Coronavirus” (Miami New Times, 2020). Whether this was a direct order from Harry Sommer, the CEO at Norwegian Cruise Line, or this was the idea of other managers in this organization, it shows that the organizational culture is extremely toxic there. Harry Sommer still has not addressed the leaked emails from employees to the media and is either ignoring the situation or completely ignoring it. Either way, the Harry Sommer is showing what his core values and beliefs are, along with the poisonous environment he creates and toxic culture he breeds. He is happy with the unsafe conditions that he is purposefully sending his employees and guests into, putting their safety and even lives at risk, just to make money.

From a leadership perspective, when lives and safety are at risk, there is only one correct answer, and Jan Swartz made that decision. This decision may eventually lead to tough financial times for the organization or maybe even her job one day. But she will be able to look at herself in the mirror every day knowing that this specific decision, was the correct and only decision to make. However, Harry Sommer may want to look at what his organization is currently doing, which is prioritizing money over safety. Every day Norwegian Cruise Line continues this toxic practice, it just amplifies the risk to guests and employees.