2020 was a challenging year and 2021 is continuing down the same path. COVID-19 has put a lot of stress on your employees. Many people did not or could not take a vacation in the past year.
They have been working tirelessly and continue to do so. They need a break, but they are also afraid to take one. Or they feel they cannot get a break with current restrictions in place. There is nowhere to go on vacation. This is compounded by the fact that many people are already working from home. The prospect of taking time off only to be stuck at home is not very appealing.
People are starting to get burned out. It is a mental health crisis that is here and is getting bigger. It’s something that we need to address individually, at the workplace, and on the societal level. Work-life balance is completely out of sorts.
As an organizational leader, you need to take steps to help your employees move from burnout back into a balanced lifestyle. How you manage your employees can have a big impact on their mental health and well-being.
Here are some things to keep top of mind as you manage this unprecedented situation:
HIRE BETTER TODAY
Is your own tolerance, patience showing?
Keep in mind that your tolerance and level of patience for this situation may not be the same as someone else’s. Everyone has different mental limits and are dealing with a variety of situations. One person may be able to handle more than another. Look at things on an individual basis. You cannot apply a blanket solution and expect to meet everyone’s needs.
Be careful of the way you, as a leader, are approaching these conversations
Managing your employees is a fine balance. You have certain performance expectations you need to meet, but you also need to factor in your employees’ well-being. Address performance in a way that does not put added pressure or stress on your team. Over-communicate and be transparent with them. Getting through this situation is a collective effort.
Be more empathetic than ever
Make it a point to be more empathetic than ever. Be available to talk with your people. Pay more attention to their work habits and be more understanding if their performance changes.
Managers are burning out, too
Managers and company leaders are burning out, too. Are you feeling the effects? Are you noticing it in other managers in your company? Work together to find ways for management to get the break they need as well. If you can’t find balance and are burned out, you will have greater challenges in helping your team get through this trying time.
Read More About the Impact of the Pandemic on Our Recruiting Blog
Do You Have a Remote Work Policy for Your Business? Employee Engagement Post-COVID
5 Post-COVID Office Perks to Consider Before You Transition People Back
4 Tips for Companies to Deal With Ever-Changing COVID Regulations
IQ PARTNERS is an Executive Search & Recruitment firm supporting clients across the country. We help companies hire better, hire less & retain more. We have specialist teams of recruiters in Executive Search / Board & C-Suite, Technology, Media, Digital & Marketing, Accounting & Finance, Financial Services & Insurance, Cannabis, Startup, Data Science, Consumer, eCommerce & Retail, Operations & HR, Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Engineering, Legal & Professional Services, Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences, Non-Profit & Sustainability, and Sales. Click here to view current job openings and to register with us.
