It’s been a full year since the COVID-19 crisis struck most communities in the US. Businesses shut down, many shifted to immediately working from home, many lost their jobs, and suddenly essential employees faced work environments that were rife with new risks. A recent report from Mental Health America national revealed that the pandemic has taken its toll on employee mental health. Key findings of the report include:
- 9 in 10 employees report that workplace stress affects their mental health.
- 3 in 5 employees are not receiving the support they need to manage stress.
- 1 in 4 employees are experiencing severe signs of burnout.
- 3 in 5 employees are concerned about their financial situations.
This has been a year of massive loss and adaptation that we never could have prepared for, and it is a natural response to feel burnt out and stressed, but there are a few things workplaces can do to ease the effects of the “pandemic wall” on employees.
MHAOhio’s Occumetrics program evaluates workplace health by conducting research-based assessments of employee wellbeing. After going through this process, leadership is left with a tailored set of recommendations that are designed to improve retention, morale, and engagement. Since its inception in 2016, we’ve conducted 63 Occumetrics assessments, representing close to 15,000 employees. Through reassessments, data show that the majority of organizations see a decrease in turnover and an increase in their Workplace Wellbeing score.
“Through this process, we get a complete picture of the employee experience,” Maggie Hallett, Director of Workplace Health, said. “We provide the leadership team with the precise information they need to improve the work environment for their staff.”
Although every workplace is different, there are a few things all organizational leaders can do to help employees thrive, especially during the pandemic:
- Ensure that staff is involved in changes that will impact them directly.
- Invest in supervisors by providing trainings and support.
- Prioritize clear communication—understanding how employees prefer to be communicated with and sharing the why behind decisions.
These are things that employers can start putting into place right away to help employees feel secure and supported. Although there is a light at the end of the tunnel, there is still a long road to healing and recovery from this crisis, and extending grace and compassion to employees will be critical in the months and years to come.
If your business is interested in conducting a workplace assessment, learn about MHAOhio’s Occumetrics program for more information.
