Engaging Employees through Mental Health and Wellness
Your employees' mental health can take a huge hit during high stress times and more so during a global pandemic that has effectively changed everyone's lives overnight. During this incredibly tough time, it might seem to some of your employees like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. Their morale will undoubtedly be affected.
It is crucial to check in on their mental health regularly. Whether by providing a safe space for them to vent or even better by having a specialist as part of the human resources team come in every so often to speak to your team and guide them through their struggles. This can have a positive impact on your employees as they will get the support they need and be reassured that you care about them as a whole, not just work related results. Win win for everyone.
Fresh air and sun rays work wonders in clearing your mind and refreshing your energy. As little as 30 minutes of outdoor time each day can have a huge impact on employees’ mental health which definitely reflects on their work. After months of gloomy weather and rain, we are all eager to spend some time outdoors.
Getting away from your desk for a few minutes during the work day can definitely help you reset and improve productivity. This can also be the time to encourage employees to work remotely (if the nature of their jobs allows) when possible to maximize the time they spend outdoors. Maintaining flexible working conditions - not just hours - can help employees feel in charge, perform better and increase overall workplace productivity.
During COVID-19
Spring is the perfect time to take vacations. Admittedly, no one wants to take a vacation and stay at home due to lockdowns and fear of the pandemic. It is expected that many employees save up their vacation days until circumstances are better and they are able to take a somewhat normal vacation that they can enjoy.
However, working for months on end without a break will inevitably lead to a burn out. Set an example for your employees and show them how they can spend a vacation in their hometown and still enjoy it.
Give your team ideas on how to explore their own backyard, public parks, or national zoos so their time off doesn’t feel like wasted vacation days. Remind them that the nice warm weather is good for their mental health. They will definitely return to the workplace mentally reset and refreshed.
Give your employees the gift of wellness. There’s no denying that a healthy employee is a happy employee. You don’t necessarily need to provide all your employees with monthly gym memberships but having a program available to your employees is a huge benefit. Whether it’s a few free passes to yoga classes or an online exercise program to exercise and de-stress while remaining safe.
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