The past couple of weeks has seen a new work dynamic – with many companies thriving and flourishing via the work from home module. While this has reduced great strides in the transmission of the virus, it has undoubtedly sprouted new challenges in terms of the employees’ well-being.
So, with novel challenges faced by employees in their current work scenario – how can companies offer support?
Researchers in human resource management have come up with adoptive and encouraging practices to improve employees’ health, well-being, and satisfaction.
Flexible solutions
Before the pandemic struck, there were less than 5% of people working from home, globally, on a regular basis. Since then, the number has shot up to a staggering number and continues to grow with more companies opting to even hire remote during this time.
Working from home is a different dynamic – as the two worlds of home and work merge, so does the responsibility. Especially with school and care centers shut down, employees are now provided with an added responsibility to attend to children and/or the elderly at home. Juggling care and work might seem a tad too tedious for some employees.
This is where flexibility comes into play. A good idea is to allow employees who face such scenarios to draw out their comfortable schedule. Perhaps the regular 9-5 shift might not work for all employees, some might prefer working in set two or three-hour durations throughout the day. Tailor work schedule based on the employees’ need. Additionally, with remote access, companies need to be open to allowing leeway when assignments need to be turned in or adjusting work hours per day to allow more time to care for children and others.
This initiative, however, needs to come from the higher authorities as not all managers might view flexibility in a positive light.
For employees that are required to come to the office, companies can be lenient and offer more flexibility in terms of reduced working hours and leave of absence.
This type of leniency would only come around through active and open communication between the employee and the company.
Conduct Online Events
With social distancing and working remote being enforced in most countries, employees, and people in general tend to feel socially isolated. Staying at home, it is difficult to replicate the easy interactions once engages with co-workers at the office.
Researchers have found that causal interactions or just conversations in general links to worker well-being. Employers must encourage their workers to find time to have virtual conversations with co-workers, create ‘happy hours’ with their colleagues. Managers could also mark birthdays or other milestones via video conference calls and other methods.
Another method is to conduct group activities via online mediums – conduct quiz, and games online for employees to play, enjoy, relax, and enjoy some down time.
Prepare for online collaborations
With the help of video cameras and chatting software, it is easy for employees to connect with one another and work effectively while working remote. However, it is not that simple, conflicts, miscommunication and difference of opinion can occur online because of online communication systems. Employees may prefer communicating over email, while some might respond faster via chat. While some prefer the age-old method of connecting via a phone call. These means of communications can often exacerbate a problem, particularly in times of stress.
To tackle this problem, the solution should be for companies to offer web-based sessions on the most effective ways to work online. During these discussions, the company can set ground rules or best practices to adopt during collaborations, build awareness of individual and cultural differences in communication, including preferences for email, phone calls and conference calls.
Build Positive coping mechanisms
The fear of the transmission of the virus is growing daily and so is the stress. More destress call are being made during these times as more and more people are panicking because of the present situation. People are now reaching out to a wide variety of coping strategies to help with the stressful situations. Most of them, not healthy choices.
At present, companies can offer ways to support employee health, both mental and health, via applications/websites, directing their employees to the ones they have reviewed/approved and even offering to pay for the service.
Practicing mindfulness and meditations can help keep track of the mental health of individuals. Companies can help by offering tutorials or conducting webinars on mindfulness, reminding employees to focus on their mental health, suggesting get up and walk around, taking frequent breaks during work.
Active communication is key, and it is always best to reach out for help. Companies need to create the right atmosphere to keep their employees safe and encourage overall well-being during these pressing times.
So, with novel challenges faced by employees in their current work scenario – how can companies offer support?
Researchers in human resource management have come up with adoptive and encouraging practices to improve employees’ health, well-being, and satisfaction.
Flexible solutions
Before the pandemic struck, there were less than 5% of people working from home, globally, on a regular basis. Since then, the number has shot up to a staggering number and continues to grow with more companies opting to even hire remote during this time.
Working from home is a different dynamic – as the two worlds of home and work merge, so does the responsibility. Especially with school and care centers shut down, employees are now provided with an added responsibility to attend to children and/or the elderly at home. Juggling care and work might seem a tad too tedious for some employees.
This is where flexibility comes into play. A good idea is to allow employees who face such scenarios to draw out their comfortable schedule. Perhaps the regular 9-5 shift might not work for all employees, some might prefer working in set two or three-hour durations throughout the day. Tailor work schedule based on the employees’ need. Additionally, with remote access, companies need to be open to allowing leeway when assignments need to be turned in or adjusting work hours per day to allow more time to care for children and others.
This initiative, however, needs to come from the higher authorities as not all managers might view flexibility in a positive light.
For employees that are required to come to the office, companies can be lenient and offer more flexibility in terms of reduced working hours and leave of absence.
This type of leniency would only come around through active and open communication between the employee and the company.
Conduct Online Events
With social distancing and working remote being enforced in most countries, employees, and people in general tend to feel socially isolated. Staying at home, it is difficult to replicate the easy interactions once engages with co-workers at the office.
Researchers have found that causal interactions or just conversations in general links to worker well-being. Employers must encourage their workers to find time to have virtual conversations with co-workers, create ‘happy hours’ with their colleagues. Managers could also mark birthdays or other milestones via video conference calls and other methods.
Another method is to conduct group activities via online mediums – conduct quiz, and games online for employees to play, enjoy, relax, and enjoy some down time.
Prepare for online collaborations
With the help of video cameras and chatting software, it is easy for employees to connect with one another and work effectively while working remote. However, it is not that simple, conflicts, miscommunication and difference of opinion can occur online because of online communication systems. Employees may prefer communicating over email, while some might respond faster via chat. While some prefer the age-old method of connecting via a phone call. These means of communications can often exacerbate a problem, particularly in times of stress.
To tackle this problem, the solution should be for companies to offer web-based sessions on the most effective ways to work online. During these discussions, the company can set ground rules or best practices to adopt during collaborations, build awareness of individual and cultural differences in communication, including preferences for email, phone calls and conference calls.
Build Positive coping mechanisms
The fear of the transmission of the virus is growing daily and so is the stress. More destress call are being made during these times as more and more people are panicking because of the present situation. People are now reaching out to a wide variety of coping strategies to help with the stressful situations. Most of them, not healthy choices.
At present, companies can offer ways to support employee health, both mental and health, via applications/websites, directing their employees to the ones they have reviewed/approved and even offering to pay for the service.
Practicing mindfulness and meditations can help keep track of the mental health of individuals. Companies can help by offering tutorials or conducting webinars on mindfulness, reminding employees to focus on their mental health, suggesting get up and walk around, taking frequent breaks during work.
Active communication is key, and it is always best to reach out for help. Companies need to create the right atmosphere to keep their employees safe and encourage overall well-being during these pressing times.
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