Source: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/327350/employee-wellbeing-mental-health-strategies-top-chros.aspx
Employees are the utmost asset of every organization. The wellbeing is of highest importance when it comes to ensuring increased productivity and operational efficiency.
Mental wellbeing is influenced by a range of factors, including our work and home life. It takes into account the way we feel about ourselves, our sense of purpose, belonging and control. We depend on it to perform and work effectively making the management of the mental wellbeing good business sense.
The coronavirus pandemic has put a fuss on mental health like never before, with a slew of startling statistics revealing the effects of the crisis. The majority of employees say they are dealing with some type of mental health issue as a result of the pandemic. Many are scared about their physical health, their childcare responsibilities, new realities of social distancing and remote work.
HR works along with business leaders to identify the impact that home working in the current context and environment can have on an employee’s wellbeing. From this employees are not only contending with the challenges of their workload, which could have increased to accommodate uplifted demands and decreased coworker resources. But they are also likely to be dealing with the challenge of having additional family members’ home working at the same time. Coupled with this highly unusual premise, could also be the added pressure of having children at home.
HR support to home working employees
- Performing an audit to ensure awareness of which home workers may also be managing additional factors (Responsibilities for young children, caring for elderly living alone and therefore experiencing greater levels of isolation.) It’s essential that HR and in turn business leaders are aware of those who could be affected by mounting challenges, in readiness of more fully supporting them by increasing employee assistance.
- Increasing access to medical services
- Increasing legal and other types of services
- Increasing the number of counseling or therapy sessions
- Being arranged to accommodate, support and supporter additional requests for flexibility to accommodate additional needs and leave.
- Ensuring communication channels between employees, managers and HR are open and collaborative.
- Soft skills training in empathy and communication
- Conversation guides related to mental health
- Adding "well being check-ins" to quarterly reviews or other formal meetings
- Being
open and clear about the support available for employees facing mental health
challenges, offers an incredible way of engendering a culture that recognizes
the value of supporting good mental health in its employees.
Conclusion
The requirements of employees during this time will be different, and not everybody will have need of support from HR or their employer. What is dynamic of course, during this unprecedented time of global pandemic, is that organization is up to the task of supporting its people to brought about by COVID-19, so that together we can reach the other side of this pandemic with a changed strength and focus on the power of good mental health and the significant benefits that can be got by placing our attentions on how we can truly support it.
References
Inc, G. (2020). Employee Wellbeing & Mental Health: 5 Strategies From Top CHROs. [online] Gallup.com. Available at: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/327350/employee-wellbeing-mental-health-strategies-top-chros.aspx.
Graham, J.T. (2020). How HR Can Support the Mental Health of Employees During the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Crisis - Sage HR Blog. [online] Sage HR Blog | Easy to implement HR tips! Available at: https://blog.sage.hr/how-hr-can-support-the-mental-health-of-employees-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-crisis/ [Accessed 28 Nov. 2021].
Current pandemic has given lot of challenges in current business world. One of main challenge is maintain employees wellbeing and mental health. Your article is giving valuable discussion that how important is it. Really useful and timely topic.
ReplyDeleteyes, As the pandemic continues to unfold, leaders must keep focused on ensuring our employees are not just physically safe, but psychologically and socially supported, so they emerge from the crisis ready to embrace the opportunities on the other side.
DeleteDear Imashi, most employees have irregular or longer working hours, and many of them combine their work with other family responsibilities, resulting in a poor work-life balance. There are also potential mental health implications for those who have quit their jobs. what do you think ?
ReplyDeleteYes, Not only in the pandemic situation employees are not in a good both mental and physical health in some work places due to bad bosses, work load, work life balance etc.. Maintain open channels of communication to hear how employees are feeling and, importantly, listen and respond is important avoid bad mental health conditions in work place.
DeleteGood article to read. due to this pandemic situation metal health balancing is very challenging task for everyone. due to various type of reasons it's balancing break up easily. very good explaining here.
ReplyDeleteTo gain real benefit, employee well being priorities must be integrated throughout an organisation, embedded in its culture, leadership and people management.
DeleteNo one has escaped Covid-19 unscathed, and while the pandemic and lockdown measures are gradually fading, the threat remains very real. Unsurprisingly, Covid-19 has had a negative impact on people's mental health and stress levels. Employers must provide 'total employment care' and listen to their employees, offering mental health support where possible.
ReplyDeletetrue, Depending on their sector, the current crisis has hit organizations very differently. But the single common factor for everyone is that life is infinitely more stressful.However investing in employee well being can lead to increased resilience, better employee engagement, reduced sickness absence and higher performance and productivity.
DeleteEmployee well-being and mental health is important to enhance employee satisfaction with in the workplace. Good article
ReplyDelete