Page 25 - BOSS Today Issue 51

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ith the UK now in our third lockdown, n Consider using Wellness Action Plans.
Wthere’s no doubt that the impact Try www.mind.org.uk for resources
of the pandemic and its associated on how to implement these, including 25%
restrictions is beginning to take its toll advice and templates for line managers.
on our mental health. Across the trade
press of various professions – health As an employee
staff, teachers, estate agents, and bankers of employees say their
– you will see stories about the toll that n Many of us are used to a work mental health has declined
COVID-19 is taking on our emotional as computer in the office, and a personal
well as physical health. computer at home. If you are using since the start of the
While the research seems unequivocal, just one device for everything, it’s pandemic *
new data has found a gap between the easy to be distracted by social media,
higher level of worry expressed among streaming TV and shopping when you
employers and the action they have taken are trying to work (or vice versa!). Set
to tackle it. A poll by employee experience up separate work and personal logins.
agency Home found that while 80% of Having different sets of favourite 44%
organisations said employee mental sites and screensavers can help you
health was being negatively impacted, mentally compartmentalise.
fewer than two-thirds (61%) were actually n If you are feeling guilty about low
doing anything more than usual to productivity levels, try focus apps of staff are finding working
support their employees. and distraction blockers, such as Cold from home much harder –
Of course, businesses may Turkey Blocker, Freedom and Self
understandably be in survival mode, Control. These can help you to stick to physically, mentally, and
focusing on lowered demand and financial the job in hand by physically blocking emotionally – than being
challenges, but it is clear there is a gap the websites you are most likely to use
between what employees need and what to procrastinate. in the office.
employers can or will do to help. However, n If you have access to an employee
that might not necessarily mean providing helpline or counselling service, make
employee counselling services, flexible the most of it. Do not wait until things
working or health and wellness benefits. become intolerable to seek help. If
An Aviva study found that only 15% of these are not available to you, visit
employees feel their employer is trying www.mentalhealth.org.uk for a list of
really hard to understand what motivates confidential helplines, and of course
them at this time. There has also been contact your GP.
a fall in the number of employees who
report feeling loyalty towards their As and when lockdown eases, a further
employer. While employee wellbeing set of challenges to our emotional
benefits can be hugely helpful, sometimes wellbeing will no doubt present itself.
it is a simple conversation with the boss Using public transport again, social
that can bring a turning point towards distancing on the job and adhering to
better emotional health at work. guidelines are likely to invite further
stress and pressure. Our Health & Safety
So what can you do? and Human Resources teams are here to
as an employer help. Contact information can be found
using the links below:
n Lead by example – maintain a positive
work/life balance and encourage Health & Safety: www.bossfederation.
employees to do the same. com/contact-us/health-safety
n Check in regularly with your staff, Human Resources: www.bossfederation.
especially those working remotely. If com/contact-us/hr
the tech isn’t working for you, pick up
the phone. Make sure that staff can * according to recruitment consultant For further information, please contact
check in with each other too, perhaps Wade McDonald. Anna Stretton, Head of HR, at
with informal online get-togethers. anna@bossfederation.co.uk

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