Stock markets around the world took a steep dive this morning as major corporations posted huge quarterly losses all week. If that news is grating on your nerves then rest assured there is a glimmer of hope.

It comes from a recent Wall Street Journal story about the downturn's effect on salaries.

“According to Watson Wyatt's study, employers are responding to the economic downturn by increasing communication on benefits and pay ...”

Employers will presumably need communicators for this task. So prepare now for the day your boss asks you to send out that HR-themed message. (Quick pitch: There are daily articles on Ragan.com on this or similar topics.)

And then take it one step further. If you're communicating benefits and pay, expand the message to help build trust between senior leaders and employees. The biggest question on employees’ minds won't be “Are my salary and benefits safe”—that's number two—but “Is my job safe?”

Convince executives to answer that question honestly. Employees will appreciate it; executives will appreciate the communicator’s advice and work.