The COVID-19 pandemic has led to some drastic changes to the work environment. And even as things start to ease and restrictions come to an end, it’s safe to say that some things will have changed permanently.
For business owners, being able to return to some normality is long overdue, but it’s important that it happens with employee wellbeing in mind. Employee wellbeing should be a priority for your business as it finds its new normal, ensuring your staff feel comfortable and supported going forward.
What are the new considerations for wellbeing at work post-COVID? Explore the following ideas for your business to consider.
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Putting health and safety first
Health and safety has always been a vital consideration for businesses, but in the wake of the pandemic, there are additional concerns to think about. Getting health and safety right in the post-lockdown world will require greater protection for employees and visitors, especially to promote the containment of viruses.
Different businesses will have different considerations for COVID, in addition to existing health and safety policies. It’s important to ensure the guidance is in place for your specific industry to ensure it’s relevant and correct. Employees also need to be able to find the guidance easily to familiarize themselves with it.
If you do encounter accidents in the workplace, there needs to be processes in place so that employees can seek help if needed. They may need to consult specialist legal professionals such as mining accident injury lawyers, and feel able to do so confidently. Regular reviews of your health and safety practices will help keep your workplace and employees safe. Conducting these safety evaluation protocols as often as possible will be in your business’s interest. Doing this lets you plan reliable emergency response procedures compliant with your sector. For instance, if your industry requires preventive measures to avoid hearing loss, you may want to conduct regular audiometric assessments to safeguard employees’ well-being. These mandatory measures help you identify potential risks that are likely to bring problems if left unattended.
Digital wellbeing
Many workplace wellbeing practices are centered around on-site wellbeing. Having breakout spaces, on-site gym and leisure facilities, etc. are all great for employees who can take advantage of them. But now that more people are working from home, digital wellbeing needs to be considered too.
Employees need to know that they are not expected to be ‘on’ at all times, with consideration given to flexible working hours, protected hours and even work time without being at a computer. Improved communication is vital to ensuring employees feel connected to their colleagues, without being overloaded with meetings.
Improved mental health support
The global pandemic has raised concerns around mental health and employees. Employees are having to build resilience and cope with job stress at what is a difficult time, but employers are also in a position to provide increased support in this area.
Engaging with employees is important to help them understand the help that is out there. Wellbeing surveys have become popular among many organizations to assess the overall mood and productivity of their staff, and this is something that can continue even after the pandemic ends.
If your business has reduced spending in some areas because of the pandemic, then investing in support for your employees should be a key consideration.
Finding the balance between flexibility and functionality
While many businesses were once reluctant to offer flexible working, it has now quickly become the norm. Even as it becomes safe to return to office environments, many businesses will continue to offer this type of working.
However, when it comes to remote working, businesses need to find the balance between flexibility and functionality. Employees may want to continue to work flexibly, but if there is a dip in productivity as a result, businesses will need to work hard to find a compromise or suitable solutions.
Forward planning and risk management
While the use of vaccines and measures to reduce the spread of the coronavirus are enabling a degree of a return to normality, nobody knows what the future may hold. Businesses will need to explore reprioritizing risk and resilience post-COVID-19, factoring in new business continuity plans should a similar situation arise in the future. Having plans and protocols for employees can help them feel more confident should they be faced with a similar incident in the future. Businesses had to alter practices very quickly in response to this pandemic, but there will be best practice and lessons to learn from that should make future events easier to deal with.
Employee wellbeing is more important than ever. There has been a lot of adjustment and uncertainty over the past year that has meant that many have struggled to adapt and thrive as they should. As a responsible manager or business owner, it’s important to have a wellbeing strategy in place that can help people adjust to life post-pandemic.
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