10-Day Protest Activity Through 9/6: Employee Notice

At Helios HR, we are committed to the safety of our clients, team members, partners, and friends. We want to inform you of a planned counter-protest rally scheduled to affect our area and the resources you can take to stay alert and plan accordingly.

10-Day March from Charlottesville to DC

Please be advised that a 10-day march from Charlottesville, VA to Washington, DC, is being organized by several civic groups.  Though the march is planned to be peaceful, as a precaution, you are strongly encouraged to avoid the following protest route between Charlottesville, VA, and Washington, DC:

• August 29: Commonwealth to Ruckersville, VA
• August 30: Ruckersville to Madison, VA
• August 31: Madison to Culpeper, VA
• September 1: Culpeper to Remington, VA
• September 2: Remington to Calverton, VA
• September 3: Calverton to Manassas, VA
• September 4: Manassas to Fairfax, VA
• September 5: Fairfax to Falls Church, VA
• September 6: Falls Church to Washington, DC

For specific information on the protest route, please visit: http://www.cville2dc.us/the-march.html

A heightened police presence is anticipated along the route with road closures near the protest locations. You are encouraged to liaise with local contacts and monitor local media to remain apprised of any protests in your area and plan accordingly to avoid the protest route. We will continue to monitor the situation and inform you of any further developments.

In light of the anticipated disruption in the area, we have prepared a sample memo below to share with your employees.  We encourage you to customize the memo to suit the needs of your organizational culture and team.

Sample Employee Notice

Please be advised that a 10-day march from Charlottesville, VA to Washington, DC, is being organized by several civic groups.  The march started on Tuesday, August 29 and will continue through Wednesday, September 6.  Though the march is planned to be peaceful, as a precaution, you are strongly encouraged to avoid the following protest route between Charlottesville, VA, and Washington, DC. Please visit http://www.cville2dc.us/the-march.html  for specific information on the protest route.

A heightened police presence is anticipated along the route with road closures near the protest locations. It will be business as usual and employees are expected to report to their worksite on time.  Please plan accordingly and allow extra time for travel if you are around or near the protest route. [Telework-Ready Employees, if offered] Telework employees may perform duties from an alternate location. You must notify your supervisor of your intent and must be prepared to work the entire workday.  If you are unable to work the entire workday or take unscheduled leave for a portion of the workday, you will be charged leave for that time in accordance with the company's policies and procedures.

You are encouraged to monitor local media to remain apprised of any protests in your area. We will also continue to monitor the situation and inform you of any further developments.