COVID-19: Supporting employee wellbeing

The outbreak of COVID-19 means employers are tackling some significant challenges. Quite rightly the immediate focus has been on supporting employees and looking out for their safety and wellbeing. As an international company trading in the UK, it is likely that most policies around business travel, workplace protocols and onsite safety procedures will be set by your corporate headquarters. However, local management of employee wellbeing is just as critical.

In this article, we present some practical tips that you can introduce now, which will help to support the wellbeing of your employees.

Physical wellbeing

• Make online workouts available to your employees allowing them to engage in physical activity
• Use a corporate health app to launch corporate challenges to get employees engaged in physical activity and networking with colleagues
• Provide access to digital tools that offer sleep assistance to employees

Inclusivity

• Utilise video technology for virtual meetings to try and replicate in-person meetings as much as possible, making sure everyone has the chance to contribute
• Encourage virtual ‘watercooler moments’ to build or maintain work colleague connections
• Encourage verbal communication and feedback rather than over-using emails or other electronic messaging methods
• Offer parents and carer Digital GP support services
• Provide access to a virtual personal trainer who supports physical health for different age demographics, plus able bodied and disabled employees
• Provide access to an EAP and bereavement support services to offer independent and confidential advice and counselling in difficult circumstances

Working practices

• Utilise an Occupational Health provider to support ergonomic risk assessments for home-based employees
• Offer a physical therapy exercise app for home support and rehabilitation
• Make discounted healthy food subscription services available to employees

Financial wellbeing

• Provide access to technology that can support employees’ understanding of their financial wellbeing
• Set up Financial Wellbeing online sessions /WebEx as part of social interaction time
• Make a Discounts and Offers platform available to employees

Emotional wellbeing

• Provide access to technology that can support employees with their emotional fitness
• Mobilise your Mental Health First Aid Network to support with health, wellbeing and resilience
• Offer access to counselling and bereavement services in case employees need extra support

Questions? Email [email protected] for advice tailored to your company, within 10 working days