<= Offer tips and education on how to cope Talk openly about mental health. Historically, employees haven't felt comfortable speaking openly about their mental health struggles. That's something that is changing due to COVID-19. Being more open about mental health in the workplace "must begin at the top and cascade throughout the organization," says Businessolver CEO […]
<= Talk openly about mental health Utilize apps. Apps that focus on areas such as mindfulness, stress reduction and better sleep are tools that some employers are turning to in an effort to improve employees' mental health. Provider Headspace says it's seen a 400%-plus increase in requests from companies seeking support for their employees' mental health […]
<= Survey employees Evaluate and add resources. The pandemic has caused a number of employers to quickly pivot and add resources around mental health, from free therapy sessions and EAPs to apps. Some 53% of 256 employers surveyed by the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions reported providing special emotional and mental health programs for their […]
<= Find ways to connect with employees Offer tips and education on how to cope. Kathie Patterson, CHRO of Ally Financial, a Detroit-based bank, says a lot of her mental health strategy as of late has been training managers, encouraging empathy and support, and giving employees tips on how to cope. "We're working on helping people […]
<= Evaluate and add resources Make sure employees are aware of EAPs and other resources. While the vast majority (93%) of HR professionals say they offer an employee assistance program, nearly half of workers say their employer doesn't offer an EAP or are unsure if they do, according to new research out from benefits provider Unum. […]
<= EAP awareness Offer one-on-one support. Anne Richter, a health management consultant at consulting firm Willis Towers Watson, says regular support–check-ins, asking how employees are doing, and showing empathy and support from direct supervisors or team leaders, for instance–is "just as powerful as a program or EAP or an app. Those things, the one-on-one connections, are […]
<= Consider giving employees an extra day off Find ways to connect with employees. Dealing with social distancing and remote work, more employees are feeling lonely or isolated–feelings that take a toll on employees' mental and emotional health. That's been a big challenge for companies like financial services firm Edward Jones. Knowing that some employees were […]
<= Introduction Survey employees. Conducting a survey is a helpful way to gauge employees' feelings on the current working environment, their engagement levels and concerns around productivity, burnout and more, says Jo Deal, chief human resources officer at computer software firm LogMeIn. "It can be a safe channel for employees to share concerns they might […]
<= Offer one-on-one support Create clear boundaries between work and personal time in remote settings. Being flexible about employees' schedules in the new environment–and encouraging them to take time for themselves and their families–is an important strategy, says LogMeIn's Deal. "We have encouraged people to step away from their desks and take a walk or a […]
