5 Ways to Support Employees’ Mental Health

It’s safe to say the past year has been a struggle for just about everyone. The COVID-19 pandemic hit businesses and employees hard, both professionally and personally. It’s no surprise then that a recent study found that 42% of global employees have experienced a decline in mental health since the pandemic began, not to mention seasonal winter blues. So, what can employers and managers do to check-in and support their teams during these trying times? Here are a few suggestions from our HR experts at Nova Staffing.

 

Be Vulnerable

One silver lining to the pandemic is that everyone has been hit, and it has normalized mental health challenges. Almost everyone has experienced some level of discomfort. Business owners and managers should start the mental health conversation and decrease the stigma by opening up about their own struggles. You don’t have to tell more than you’re comfortable, but letting employees know that those higher up have been struggling as well will let them feel more comfortable coming to you with their challenges.

 

Model Healthy Habits

A lot of companies say they support mental health, but very few actually model it. It’s one thing to tell employees to prioritize self-care and set boundaries, and it’s another for businesses to do it themselves. Share that you’re taking a staycation or a mid-afternoon walk. This will help employees feel more comfortable taking much-needed breaks themselves.

 

Check-In Regularly

Intentionally checking in with each of your employees is more important than ever. Now that many people are working from home, it can be harder to notice if someone is struggling. Make it a point to ask your employees if they’re doing OK. During these times, communicate more than you think you need to.

 

Be Flexible

This pandemic has shown that businesses that are flexible are the ones to survive. Being adaptable and flexible is key to managing stressful situations that may pop up, like a global pandemic! Employers should be open to the fact that employees are facing unprecedented challenges. Virtual learning or closed schools mean many working parents don’t have childcare. Health concerns may limit certain employees from coming in. Not all employees may have a quiet, dedicated workspace to operate from. Being flexible and accommodating will help alleviate stress for your employees and allow you to come together to find solutions.

 

Modify Procedures and Policies

Now is the time to update practices and policies to be more flexible and reflect the realities of the workplace today. Look at things such as work hours, communication practices, sick leave policies, and performance reviews. The ‘normal’ work environment doesn’t exist right now, so traditional procedures no longer fit.

 

Need help finding qualified candidates or other staffing solutions? Contact Nova Staffing today! With over 200 years of industry experience, our team of HR experts is ready to help. 

 

Pros and Cons of Employees Working from Home

Thinking of allowing employees to work from home? Here are the pros and cons of remote working employers should know.

 

Even as COVID-19 restrictions loosen, many companies are wrestling with the decision to make employees come back into physical workspaces. Many businesses have found employees are just as effective when working remotely, and employees enjoy the flexibility of working from home allows. Remote working isn’t ideal for everyone, though. Our HR experts break down the advantages and disadvantages of allowing employees to work from home.

 

Pros of Working from Home

 

Increased Productivity

Workplaces have a lot of distractions that employers don’t always realize. Working from home eliminates all of those, allowing employees to focus on their work. Maybe some employees work better with music playing or are more productive without human interactions to distract them. These accommodations aren’t always possible in a physical workspace, which is why remote working can help increase efficiency. Remote working allows employees to create a controlled and productive environment that improves performance.

 

More Flexibility

Many employers are hesitant to adopt work from home because they’re reluctant to give up control. Increased flexibility in scheduling can help your business, though. These are unprecedented times, and many employees have a lot of stress on their minds. From dealing with virtual schooling for children to taking care of sick loved ones, sticking to traditional work hours at home isn’t always possible. As long as employees do their work well and on time, employers should embrace flexible working. Increased flexibility will not only increase productivity but will also help with employee retention.

 

Time & Cost Savings

There are a lot of costs that go into maintaining a physical workspace, especially with new health and safety policies these days. Eliminating physical workspaces in favor of remote working can save your business a ton on commercial real estate and upkeep costs. Working from home also eliminates commuting, saving employees time. The time savings allow employees to do more outside of work hours so that they can focus on the job once they’re on the clock.

 

Cons of Working from Home

 

Security Concerns

One issue businesses will have to discuss when switching to remote working is cybersecurity. Sending certain information online has a security risk, which is why your business should invest in cybersecurity and establish strict guidelines for work information for employees. For certain industries, though, the security risk is too significant and may not allow for remote working. Your company will have to evaluate whether or not working from home makes sense from a security standpoint.

 

Less Collaboration

A downside of remote working is that fostering a company culture can be more challenging. There is less opportunity for connection and collaboration when people aren’t in a physical workspace. Employers will have to make additional effort to ensure employees are still effectively working together. This is especially important with new virtual hires so that they feel a part of the company.

 

More Oversight

While some employees may flourish under more flexibility and less oversight, every employee is different, and others may flounder. Employers will have to keep a closer eye on those that may need more structure even when remote working. This will mean more communication and oversight for managers. Companies will have to evaluate whether their employees do well when working from home and make adjustments if employees start to struggle.

 

If you’re looking for HR solutions from experts, Nova Staffing is here to help! Our employment agency is one of the best in the Greater Toronto Area, and we’re committed to assisting employers in finding, hiring, and training qualified staff. Contact us today to get started!