Wellbeing issues at work are increasingly important.
Employees and employers are going to meet new challenges in today's global epidemic. While employees continue to work hard to balance work and personal family obligations, they are also coping with the emotional, physical and economic consequences of the epidemic. Even if social segregation is lifted and the economy stabilizes, some of these problems will still exist, which may have a lasting impact on people's overall health.
While many companies naturally focus on the bottom line and maintain operations during the outbreak, it is equally important that they take steps to ensure that their employees are supported during this turbulent period.
What approaches can be used?
- Employee Assistance Program
As the Covid-19 epidemic continues to spread, all parts of the world have been hit hard, both socially and economically. The surge in cases and deaths is placing a heavy burden on citizens' supply chains. It is difficult for people to prepare enough resources to take effective measures to protect their health.
For many people, working from home has become the new normal. This can put additional stress on employees, who have to deal with the problems of loved ones, children, parents and pets on the job, not to mention anxiety related to the fear of contracting the coronavirus.
Employee assistance programs can provide direct counselling to help improve the emotional and mental health of employees and their immediate families. Organizations can establish a team of experienced psychological counsellors to provide a safe, private space where employees can feel secure to seek professional advice and counselling support. Employers can also offer EAP services to employees' immediate family members. For long-term counselling needs, organizations can introduce a large service network of agents and psychologists who will provide further assistance to ensure that employees receive continuous, effective counselling support.
- Returning to Work Program
The project is important for employees and employers who need to return to work. This project needs to increase spending on security measures. For example, strengthen cleaning and disinfection methods, daily temperature inspection of employees and solve the policies and procedures that hinder the development and implementation. In addition, workplace surveillance should be strengthened to avoid a resurgence of the virus.
As businesses begin to reopen their workplaces, it is crucial that leaders have a reliable employee engagement plan to ensure employee safety. Ensure that new security protocols are communicated clearly and effectively to employees so that when the office is reopened, they can go to work at ease. Now is the time for businesses to make the well-being of their employees a priority and gradually improve their planning to meet the challenges of current and future needs. Both businesses and employees will benefit from that.
- Improve Exercise and Diet
Many company jobs involve sedentary and unhealthy eating. As a result, many office workers do not get enough exercise and nutrition they need. In this way, employees are encouraged to control their wellbeing, so as to create a healthy corporate culture. Encourage employees to do desk exercises throughout the day, such as leg lifting, back, shoulder and neck stretches. Even the most sedentary job has room for some simple stretching. If they want to do more, employers can set up a gym in the organization to help employees do exercise and keep fit. In addition, it is useful to emphasize the importance of walking around the office all day. Employers can call on them to move around regularly during their breaks.
What is more, organizations can provide nutritious lunches for employees. This can not only enhance the physical quality of employees, but also improve their work efficiency.
People are the foundation of a company. Their health needs to be taken first place. It is important to note that, unlike other types of crises, the Covid-19 outbreak is not a short-term, transient event. This crisis will continue for the foreseeable future. Therefore, organizations need to adopt a variety of methods to monitor and protect the mental and physical health and well-being of their employees.
