This article is authored by Jett Hayes.
COVID-19 has thrown global company operations into disarray and compelled many workers to shift to remote work. While it’s evident that all of these measures are in the interest of health, it’s also clear that we must preserve our mental health and well-being while we try to keep this vicious disease at bay.
Alister Clare, CEO of Credit Capital—Australia’s Leading Business Loan provider, flags up the role of mental health in the success of a business. Clare says, “Maintaining a great work culture and an emphasis on mental health reduces employee turnover, may they be office-based or remote workers. This increase in retention reduces onboarding expenses while also retaining client relationships and business acumen. As a result, it guarantees that company and industry expertise is not compromised because workers are uncomfortable with their work.”
With the pandemic amplifying everyday stresses, it’s essential than ever to support your workforce’s well-being. Try these five effective ways.
Provide Employee Benefits For Mental Health
If a staff arrives to work with anxiety or is having a mood disorder, they won’t be able to offer you their absolute best and will need time to regroup. Also, unhealthy mental conditions are often associated with physical health issues such as sleeplessness, hypertension, and ulcers. Although mental illnesses aren’t infectious, employees may lose concentration because of their coworker’s condition.
Make mental health treatments available to your employees as part of their benefits package. Express your concern for your workers by implementing an employee assistance program. These mental health packages may include access to support groups or counselors, mental health insurance, workplace mental health sessions, or a subscription to online counseling opportunities as part of stress management solutions.
Make Mental Health Resources Available
When looking for mental health resources, workers may not know how to begin. This is particularly the case for remote workers who don’t have access to in-office infographics or bulletin board posters.
To help remote workers with their mental health, provide a suite of options that every employee may readily access such as an EAP (Employee Assistance Program). Start with something that includes mental health guides, tips, articles, podcasts, and videos. Access to experts who can assist your employees in making educated health choices, understanding their benefits, and even communicating with healthcare providers on their behalf would also be a good addition. You can send it as a company-wide mail or publish it on your group portal. Review the list regularly to check if the materials are still usable and have the latest contact details.
Have A Virtual Socialising Session
Remote workers should not only interact with their coworkers about work-related issues. Lead them to make social connections as well. To help workers connect, start by identifying interesting forums on your team’s messaging platform. These are excellent spots for employees to talk about things they have in common.
Organise virtual social gatherings via video chat to narrow the gap. Employees may interact with colleagues in a non-work environment even if they can’t be with each other in person. A virtual setting also removes some need to network or linger for a fixed period.
Consider one of the following suggestions:
- Virtual Karaoke
- Tea get-togethers
- Playing games on the internet
- Roulette in the chatroom
- Trivia Games
- Poetry entries or storytelling
- Potluck lunch (with pizza delivered to the homes of all workers)
Push For Physical Fitness
Doing physical exercise elevates one’s mood, alleviates worry, and promotes relaxation. In essence, an exercise regimen produced antidepressant-like benefits on depressed individuals.
Furthermore, exercise may offer workers a feeling of accomplishment while having breaks between work. Keeping remote workers fit and active is beneficial not just physically but also to their mental well-being.
Inspire Honest And Open Communication
Finally, fostering an honest and open communication atmosphere is the most distinctive approach to uphold remote workers’ mental health. Of course, it should apply to professional interactions but should also extend to personal communication.
Let employees understand that if they have a concern or feel worried about their mental well-being, they can talk to their supervisor, managers, or HR. Make them feel that their well-being always prevails over job responsibilities.
Support Your Employees Mental Health Better – Be different, with Career Money Life
As an employer, it is your responsibility to establish an environment that promotes employee’s overall well-being. A healthy, happy workforce increases productivity. At the same time, it sends a message to prospective employees that your company is a wonderful place to work.
Career Money Life is different, on purpose. We fully understand that every employees’ experience with mental health is different. Which is why all our programs are fully customisable and provide complete choice and control – for both you and your people.
Contact us, and you’ll be sure that your employees are in a good company.
How can you as HR help your employees manage their workplace mental health?
Start with our HR Manager’s guide to measuring, managing and monitoring workplace mental health. Download a FREE copy below.
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