With the pandemic still in full swing, everyone’s feeling the pressure in more ways than one. But some companies are finding ways to help their employees during this crisis to keep them motivated and happy.
If you’re looking for ways to keep your employees engaged and in good spirits, there are a few approaches you can take. Below you’ll find five ways to help your employees during COVID-19.
1. Allow Frequent Breaks
Dealing with the pandemic is hard enough and working through it is even harder. It can be a lot for one person. Allowing your employees to take more frequent breaks throughout the day can have a tremendous impact on their mental health. Even before the pandemic, taking frequent breaks when working was recommended by mental health experts because our brains need rest. So encourage your employees to take more breaks. You’d be surprised how positively it can contribute to overall productivity. About 10 to 15 minutes every two hours should be sufficient.
2. Upgrade Your Technology
Make it as easy as possible for your employees to do their jobs. That might mean optimising your workforce with a tech solution. For example, if you operate a remote call centre, upgrading your computers and your CRM could help make things easier on your employees. Having more specific data and metrics can help them better target their development and experience in their roles, which can lead to more success. Happy employees mean a happy company, so upgrade your call centre technology and resources so that your employees
3. Check In With Them
Checking in with your employees and asking them how they’re handling things can help. Although it might seem small, simply knowing that someone cares can be enough in a lot of cases. Questions you might want to ask them include:
- How are you doing?
- Is there anything we can do to help?
- Is there someone you feel comfortable talking to about how you’re feeling?
- What are some things you’ve done in the past to cope with difficult situations?
You can also encourage your employees to keep in touch with co-workers via e-mail, text or a phone call. Let them know you’re there for them and provide them with any resources you might have that can offer some sort of relief.
4. Understand the Risks and Share Information
Making sure everyone understands the risks and how to keep them to a minimum can help combat stress. If people are more informed, they’ll be able to act appropriately in response. Whether you decide to provide information via email or post information in your company messaging software, you can give employees the information they need to protect themselves and others. Sharing the right information and encouraging your employees to share that information can also help your employees connect with each other. Remind everyone that we’re all in this together and that we all have an important role to play in combating the pandemic.
5. Offer Monetary Support
If you’re in the financial position to do so, offer your employees monetary support in the form of bonus pay. Anyone that is making under a certain amount at your company should be given a bonus check to help them cover expenses related to working from home (e.g., the internet bill, other equipment they may have had to purchase, etc.). Give them what you can reasonably afford. That’ll depend on the size of your company and, as stated, your company’s finances.
Easing the Burden
Dealing with an unprecedented situation like COVID isn’t easy for anyone, but you can provide some sort of relief using the above methods. Whether you decide to allow more frequent breaks, upgrade your technology, check in with them or provide monetary support, you can find ways to ease the burden (even if it’s in a small way).
