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On Monday, April 8, parts of the U.S. will experience an astronomical phenomenon that won’t happen again for another 20 years.
A total solar eclipse will cross North America, and the Moon will pass between the Sun and Earth, blocking out the face of the Sun, says NASA.
“The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk,” the government body writes. “Those standing in the path of totality may see the Sun’s outer atmosphere.”
The path of the eclipse, known as the path of totality, moves through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and possibly small parts of Michigan and Tennessee.
It will be a remarkable, once-in-a-generation event – and Americans can’t get enough of it.
NASA estimates 31.6 million people live within this path, with an additional 150 million people living within 200 miles of the path. Moreover, a model from the Great American Eclipse estimates between one and four million people will travel to the path of totality.
“It will likely be the most-viewed astronomical event in American history. When you combine the populations of Mexico, USA, and Canada that live inside the path of totality, and add all of those who will travel on eclipse day, a total of 50 million North Americans witnessing totality is possible,” says Michael Zeiler, expert eclipse cartographer and co-founder of Great American Eclipse.
"It's like having 50 Super Bowls happening at the same time all across the country,” adds Great American Eclipse co-founder, Polly White.
Even those outside the path will still be able to view a partial solar eclipse.
There’s just one problem – for those who are working, the eclipse sits in the middle of a working day.
HR mustn't be the solar eclipse killjoy
Yes, for many employees, the celestial marvel may sit slap-bang in the middle of a Monday meeting. The total eclipse will begin as early as 1.27 pm CDT in Eagle Pass, Texas, and as late as 3.32 pm EDT in Presque Island, Maine.
It will last for a maximum of four minutes and 27 seconds, and as little as one minute and 28 seconds, though a partial eclipse should be visible for at least two hours.
And given a total solar eclipse across the contiguous U.S. isn’t set to return until 2044, it’s not one anyone wants to be late to.
Although it means allowing some unofficial absenteeism, HR cannot be the one to spoil the solar eclipse party.
The last thing any employee needs is to feel they cannot miss work for an hour or two to truly absorb one of life’s utterly remarkable events. No worker should be punished for sharing in the joy of millions of Americans who, in ever-more divided times, are set to come together and witness one of planet Earth’s natural wonders.
Witnesses to past eclipses describe the event as intense, emotional, and euphoric. An event that can move one to tears. As a golden opportunity to tell future generations about.
Rather than warning employees not to miss their deadlines or attend their meetings, HR should work with managers to give employees an hour or two to watch this astounding astronomical event.
Employees might miss out on a couple of hours of work, and across the business, productivity will naturally wane over the day. But attempts to shut down those who wish to view a total eclipse will only damage morale.
Some things are bigger than business, and more profound than productivity metrics. So, please, if you haven’t already, put the old-fashioned HR stickler rulebook to one side and support workers who wish to witness it.
Just remember to give employees a reminder on safety guidelines for watching the eclipse, particularly if you are planning any work-related events around it. For instructions on safely viewing the eclipse, see the American Astronomical Society’s authoritative site.
For many, viewing a total eclipse is life-changing and awe-inspiring. Don’t miss it – and don’t let your employees miss out either!
