Many employers are finding themselves contending with the emotional repercussions of the pandemic. Many employees are dealing with stress, anxiety, and depression as they try to balance new realities with work from home productivity.
For businesses to succeed at this time, it is more essential than ever to place a focus on employee physical as well as mental well-being. This means helping employees to navigate the psychological disturbances they may experience.
Here are the seven ways employers can promote wellness while motivating their staff during this current crisis.
1. Develop a calm model
A leader plays a pivotal role in every situation and especially during a disaster. Regardless of how a boss may feel at this time, employees want some reassurance from them. A motivating employer will remain calm; will communicate a clear plan for forwarding momentum, even as they acknowledge changes to business as usual. The relaxed model will not only keep the team motivated but also make them feel secure about the job. There is no point in harassing them with too much work that makes them think that they will lose it if they don’t finish it. Such a model will breed more distressed employees, and they may end up looking for other opportunities when soon once this passes off. Do not let the loyal ones go far with the mismanagement in a crisis as these are the same resources that can pull you through the worse times.
2. Make Safety a primary Priority
It’s natural for people to feel less confident when they don’t feel safe. Employers need to ensure that not only are work venues in compliance with state and federal guidelines but that they broadcast value for employee mental health as well. If a business is still operating on-site, this means prominently placing hand sanitizer, soap, gloves, and masks for staff use. Businesses operating both in-person and remotely should publically talk about company health policies as well, highlighting any revised plans for employees affected by COVID-19.
3. Be Attentive and compassionate
Paying attention to employee concerns can help businesses to react to challenges before they rise. For majority of the employees, just being able to relieve tensions through dialogue is a gift that allows them to dive right back to work.
For others, listening will raise critical needs that employers can address through flexible preparations. An overwhelmed parent may need to shift their hours so they can better provide child-care during school shutdowns. A worker caring for a sick relative may need to operate remotely for some time. Empathetic, compassionate listening will allow safe sharing required maintaining a positive work environment right now.
4. Ensuring infrastructure compatibility
Many businesses are already equipped with technology, and those that haven’t, are gradually embracing software and initiatives to ensure workers remain productive when working from home and don’t feel lonely. They provide the data is managed correctly on cloud and G-suite so as not to hamper the business as usual. The government of India has made it compulsory for private ltd and businesses with LLP registration in India to offer work from home to employees. For this, such companies have already filed a “CAR” form.
Still, home network connectivity remains the biggest challenge for many, adding extra costs for those who do not have a secure home broadband link, several businesses compensate their workers for initial internet set-up and data costs.
5. Reorient Activities
Another strategy is to reorient activities. As many are discovering, not every tasks easily done at a desk in an office can translate smoothly to a desk at home. It can be uncomforting for staff to attempt to do work they’ve always done effortlessly in an environment that actively works against them.
For this very reason, it may be wise option to temporarily reorient the document, assigning tasks that can be done out of order, or with a more relaxed timeframe. Give employees the opportunity go through their files, clean their desktops or emails, along with other spring cleaning tasks. This tactic will allow employees to feel and be productive despite the challenging times and positions the company to start on the correct foot after restriction lifts.
6. Invest in Development
Now is the perfect time to invest in professional and business development. Providing professional development opportunities for staff by reminding them that there is and will be a future for them in the company, and the world at large. This will also give them the tools to work with renewed passion and confidence.
7. Redefine Work Policies
Now that the workers work from home, they will face a lot of problems when they work in the workplace. Home is not always work-fitting. There are many hindrances, which prohibit your workers from sticking to your pre-Corona work policy from caring for their children to many other duties.
You will now study these policies to make them more WFH-friendly. If you do not, the workers will probably believe like you do not care for them, but rather about the amount of work they will do for you. Difficult times call for some versatility. When you want them to do their best, you must give it to your employees.
Conclusion
The same is accurate for business development. Open discussions with staff regarding critical changes that could enhance overall company management and dealings, and also acknowledging and implementing creative ideas and solutions. Therefore, by considering the strategies outlined here, businesses can see growth, helping them emerge from COVID-19 as more durable, successful organizations.