How to support your employees’ mental health during the pandemic
27 August 2021
4
min read
Managing the mental health of your employees is a critical issue as remote work, reduced hours, restrictions, and changes continue during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Looking after your employees’ mental health every day has become just as important as looking after your employees’ physical health.
Employees may be dealing with video conferencing fatigue, be continually afraid of falling ill, or trying to navigate blurred lines between home and work life.
Coping with changing restrictions may have also added greater stress to both your business and your employees.
Here are some strategies you may like to use to help support your employees’ mental health:
How to check your employees are OK
Show content
In challenging times, it's more important than ever to stay connected.
R U OK? Day 2021 on 9 September aimed to check how the people in your world really were faring.
Rather than waiting for someone to be visibly distressed or in crisis, the annual R U OK? Day reminds people how it is important to ask your employees and colleagues how they are going.
Your support could make a difference. Just by asking someone if are ‘really’ OK, you could change a life.
Encourage employees to take time off
Show content
With working dynamics disrupted, your employees may need space to recharge and cope.
There are leave management software solutions available to help managers stay on top of staff absences and help make employee schedules easier and more efficient to manage.
Reduce overworking and minimise contact
Show content
Working patterns may have changed through the pandemic.
Extended time working from home, whether it be through lockdowns, restrictions, or a change in the way your business operates, means changes for employees.
Some simple tips to support your employees mental health while they work from home include helping make sure they have a structured work day, stay connected, and find the time to switch off.
In the office, you may want to rotate teams in groups to prevent overworking and mitigate infection risks. Managers may consider segmenting teams to work on rotational schedules.
Stay transparent and connected
Show content
Keeping your staff informed and ensuring that communication lines are always open can help your employees’ feel like they’re part of a team.
You may also look to find channels for instant chat or communication between teams or individuals. These channels can be used to share essential information, celebrate wins and milestones, and allow everyone to stay connected.
Implement a wellness action plan
Show content
Many organisations may offer a wellness action plan that includes tools and support available to employees, no matter how they are feeling.
The wellness action plan may fall under your organisation’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and offer employees the option to talk to experienced health professionals to support their mental health.
Companies may also consider subscribing to wellness apps or other services to better support employees’ mental wellness.
Support your leaders and managers
Show content
Managers and leaders continue to have dual responsibilities of facing the pandemic and taking care of a team.
They need a support system for their own mental health as well as helping them identify best practices for managing their teams.
Forming groups or seeking advice from mentors and other industry professionals can be a good first step to support your leaders.
Some conversations need professional help.
Never hesitate to reach out.
The opinions expressed and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the QSuper Board. No responsibility is taken for the accuracy of any of the information supplied and you should seek advice for your circumstances.