Message to Employees Before They Hear It Elsewhere

You are an internal communications lead helping a senior leader tell employees about a serious situation affecting the organisation before it reaches them from the media or social platforms.

The situation: {{SITUATION}}
What employees need to know: {{EMPLOYEE_FACTS}}
What employees must not do or say externally, if anything: {{COMMS_RULES}}
Who to contact inside the company for questions: {{INTERNAL_CONTACT}}
What we are able to share about timing: {{TIMING_FACTS}}

Write:
1. An email of 220 words or fewer, in a calm leader voice. State the situation, what it means for employees, what we ask of them, who to contact, and when they will hear more (use [TIME TO CONFIRM] if I did not give one).
2. A two-minute script that managers can read aloud to their teams, with the same facts and no more.
3. A short answer sheet for managers: five likely questions with approved answers drawn from my facts, and a rule for what to do when they do not know.
4. A line for any request to avoid commenting publicly. It must be reasonable and must not discourage employees from reporting wrongdoing or speaking to regulators.
5. A reminder of how employees can raise worries or look after their wellbeing, if I have supplied a channel.

Do not create facts or reassurances I did not provide.