Since the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, workplaces around the globe have been impacted. While many companies are instituting remote work policies and other measures to reduce the spread of the virus, there's still much that employees can do to help protect themselves and their co-workers.
Here are ten strategies on how to empower your employees during this pandemic.
1. Implement Work-from-Home Policies
If your company can, consider implementing a work-from-home policy for employees. This will help to keep them safe and minimize the risk of exposure. Remote working has been shown to improve productivity and creativity, so your team can still get work done while staying healthy.
Take these steps to ensure work-from-home policies are effective:
- Clearly communicate the policy to employees and make sure they understand the expectations.
- Make sure employees have the necessary equipment and tools to work from home effectively.
- Establish a clear line of communication with employees, especially if there are any questions or concerns.
- Encourage employees to take breaks and get up from their desks often.
- Monitor employee productivity and adjust the policy if necessary.
If you can't allow employees to work from home, consider staggering start and end times. That will help reduce the number of people in the office at any one time.
Now that more workers are getting vaccinated, it's also an excellent time to remind employees about the importance of getting vaccinated and staying healthy.
2. Encourage Employees to Take Sick Days If They're Not Feeling Well
The best way to prevent the spread of illness is to encourage employees to take sick days if they're not feeling well. This will help reduce the number of people who are working while sick and can potentially infect others. If an employee feels like they might be coming down with something, they need to stay home and rest.
If an employee feels well enough to come back to work, but they're not 100%, have them work from home. This will help prevent the spread of infection and allow the employee to get some rest.
3. Allow Employees to Use Vacation Time for Personal Reasons
You can also empower employees by allowing them to use vacation time for personal reasons. This will help them feel more comfortable and relaxed during this time of crisis. It will also show them that you care about their well-being and are willing to do what you can to support them.
4. Provide Flexible Hours
The pandemic has forced many people to work remotely, which can be difficult if you have children or other responsibilities at home. Flexible hours can help employees adjust their schedules as needed, so they can still take care of their families and do their job.
You don't want your employees to feel like they're working in a vacuum. With the extra responsibilities and limited social interaction, they may feel isolated and unsupported. By providing flexible hours, you're telling them that you understand their situation and want to help them as much as possible.
5. Designate Time and Space for Team Bonding
One of the best ways to empower your employee amid the pandemic is to designate time and space for team bonding. This can be done in several ways for remote workers, including but not limited to:
- Holding virtual meetings where employees can get to know one another better.
- Encouraging employees to connect with each other on social media platforms.
- Setting up group chats on messaging apps such as WhatsApp or Slack.
When employees feel like they are part of a team, they will be more likely to work together in order to achieve common goals. For employees working in offices or virtually, you can build engagement with socially-safe activities and generate meaningful conversations.
6. Offer Remote Training Opportunities
Offering remote training opportunities will help your employees stay up-to-date on their skills and knowledge, even if they're unable to come into the office. You can use tools like Zoom or Skype for this, and you can also find online courses that your employees can take.
This is also a great time for fun training concepts for in-office workers that can help them learn new things and empower their skills. There are dozens of tools available to make training innovative and effective. These will help increase engagement, improve retention, and give employees a sense of accomplishment.
7. Encourage Employees to Take Care of Their Mental & Physical Health
Mental well-being has been one of the most commonly overlooked factors in times of stress or anxiety. Encourage your employees to take some time for themselves, whether it means taking a break from work to do something they enjoy, staying mindful and present throughout the day, or reaching out to loved ones for support.
Promote self-care as an important part of workplace wellness, and employees will be more likely to take your advice seriously and practice it. Physical health is just as important, if not more so, during a pandemic. Ensure that employees are active and eating well, and remind them to wash their hands regularly.
8. Promote Transparency and Communication Within the Company
Employees need to feel like they are in the loop with what is happening, both good and bad. This will help reduce any rumors or speculation that may occur. Transparency breeds trust, which is essential for healthy workplace culture. In times of stress, employees will often look to their managers for guidance.
By being open and communicative, you're setting the tone for how employees should behave during this time while also improving organizational and leadership effectiveness. They will be more likely to come to you with any concerns they have. Without communication, employees may feel like they're on their own and resort to guessing what is going on.
9. Show Appreciation & Thank Employees for Their Hard Work
It's important to show your employees that you appreciate all of the hard work they're doing. Thank them for their dedication and let them know that their efforts are not going unnoticed. This will help keep morale high and encourage your team to continue working hard.
Additionally, positive reinforcement can go a long way in motivating employees. When an employee or team working on a project, for example, does a great job, be sure to give them credit and let them know that you noticed their efforts. Embracing a culture of recognition can make a huge difference in employee productivity and motivation.
10. Promote a Sense of Community Among Employees
One way to help empower your employees during this pandemic is to promote a sense of community among them. This can be done in several ways, such as through team-building games or by establishing social media groups where employees can share information and support each other.
Encouraging employees to connect with one another can help boost morale and help them feel more supported. Building a sense of community can also help employees feel more connected to their work, which can lead to a higher level of productivity.
Conclusion
These are just a few ways that you can empower your employees during this pandemic. Remember, it is important to keep communication open and be supportive of one another. Doing so will help create a positive work environment in which your employees feel appreciated and supported.
Employee empowerment is key to helping your team stay positive and focused as we work together to get through this pandemic. Companies that empower their employees during challenging times are more likely to come out stronger on the other side. So, be sure to put these tips into practice and watch your team thrive.
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