HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR EMPLOYEES DURING COVID19
In today's turbulent times, it has never been so important for leaders and managers to mitigate the health and wellbeing concerns of their employees.T he post pandemic new reality will create a a challenge but also a window of opportunity for all of us. Particularly it has forced us to adopt a new remote working business structure which has to integrate behavioural and physical health with other skill and talent management areas. In a way, the pandemic has caused us to view our employees in the most human, and holistic way in order to respond to this most human crisis.
The current circumstances are volatile- A march 25th a survey of 88,000 people by Evidation Health found a 68% increase, in just one week, of concern about someone in the household contracting COVID-19 along with a 59% increase in anxiety levels.
To help navigate all the changes in the workplace, it can be helpful for employers to support their staff and manage some these adjustments with the following:
Try to support burnout, stress & anxiety
It is important to bear in mind that often your most productive workers can still be the most emotionally reactive to the unprecedented times. Findings reveal that highly agile employees who possess low resilience had an increased risk of anxiety and an increased risk of depression. Moreover, it is people that have the highest percentage risk for burnout at 36% .
An important way to combat this is to guide your employees towards evidence-based mental or mindful health programs. Here at Complete Corporate Wellness ,we offer an array of mindful programmes that benefit the health of employees, increase productivity and contribute to retention and a wellness culture. This in turn, encourages employees to manage their work and avoid stress as well as manage any probability of anxiety.
Communication is everything
Communication is crucial in creating a healthy workplace culture. Whilst there is a lot of anxiety and stress at work at the moment, communication is paramount in not only developing good working relationships but also maintaining a support network for your team.
This can be done through ensuring your team is in the loop with regular updates on how your organisation is adapting to these changes, and what the current environment is like. It is important to ensure that businesses create a scheduled time weekly for a check in, informing them on what's going on and giving them the chance to discuss. Formulating this time can also create a sense of community. When employees feel valued and connected to others, this not only ensures the safety and wellbeing of your team but also ensures they remain positive, engaged and happy at work.
Create a support network if staff were to feel or experience COVID19 symptoms
Also keeping your team up to date with what the current general health guidelines are and being clear about what they can do for you and what they should do if they develop symptoms.
We know these times are tough for everyone, but there are definitely ways to mitigate these stressors in the workplace. At complete Corporate Wellness we are keeping busy trying to expand upon what we know works and constantly adapting and coming up with innovative, exciting and new ways to face these issues.
We would be happy to provide you and your team tools for addressing some of the behavioural, emotional or physical constraints you may be encountering.
For more information please email us at info@completecorporatewellness.com.au or call us on 1300 141 373.
