Let’s be honest – everything has changed in your employees’ world. They’re now working from home or in a scarcely populated setting. They’re dealing with the threat of catching a virus that will either leave them extremely sick, make them feel ill for a short period of time, or make them a carrier even if they have no outward symptoms. The world that they live in is very different from the one of eight short months ago, and as a result, they need more support from you in order to get their work done. This doesn’t mean that they are suddenly incapable of the tasks, but rather, they are simply stressed and anxious, as well as possibly unable to properly concentrate. So, as an employer, what can you do to help? Your main course of action needs to be to step up and ensure that their mental health stays stable.
Create Bonding Experiences
In the past, your employees may have found ways to bond in the office. They might all order in lunch and eat together or play pranks on their co-workers who are on vacation, setting up their desks with funny signs, candy, or other things. Now that they are working from home, bonding opportunities are difficult or almost non-existent. So, what can you do? You can encourage them to work on outside “fun” projects that they do individually and then share with each other at a virtual meeting. Another option is to use a communication tools like Google Meet, Zoom, or Slack to encourage team members to continue to interact throughout the day. It’s important to allow them to find ways to reach out to each other and bond, no matter how stressed they really are. This helps their morale and gives them a way to stay in touch.
Show Them How Much You Appreciate Them
Small gifts of appreciation go a long way towards showing your workers that you really do care about them. Giving each of them a cash bonus or even a gift card for Amazon or another online retailer is a simple way to put a smile on their faces. This small token will give them a bit of glowing confidence in themselves, even if it’s just for a short time. There are also ways to show your support without having to resort to gift giving. A quick “great work!” when they do something awesome is often enough to make them feel good about their efforts. Don’t be afraid to express your feelings in a positive manner, as those kind words go a long way.
Ask If They Need Anything
Be compassionate during these difficult times. Go around and ask each of your employees if they need anything. They might be struggling mentally and are in need of a paid day off or could be having a hard time juggling their family life with their work life. As long as you ask them one on one, most of them won’t be afraid to express their thoughts and speak up. Those who shy away from complaining or showing weakness in a group setting will be more likely to share on a private phone call.
Remember that everyone is struggling a bit during this COVID-19 pandemic. How could you not? Employees who don’t always speak up about their feelings may be the worst off, and they are often just afraid to say something. Going out of your way to create a virtual bonding experience, show your appreciation, or reach out to see if they need anything will show that you care and support them.