51 LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP is that it comes down to trusting that the employees are still providing an honest day’s work and value for money. Alongside this, if leaders allow flexible working arrangements it can provide employees time for a better work-life balance including time for self-care and exercise. Importantly, both these factors have been shown to make a worker more productive and less likely to burnout while at the same time enhancing their well-being. 5. Providing training The final aspect to support staff mental health during an economic downturn is training. The trend among many companies, especially since the global pandemic, is to provide health and wellbeing workshops or an EAP (employee assistance program) to support staff in times of need or simply to feel better about themselves. While these resources are often extremely valuable, at the same time they are found to be underutilised or poorly attended. Additionally, it can be condescending to a team that is financially struggling to start providing random wellness classes and wellbeing support without addressing the nub of the issue. Instead, employers should consider offering financial planning workshops and resources for employees to help them to understand their budgets better and different ways of reorganising their home finances. If funds allow, an organisation could add an element of overtime to a struggling employee or could even consider moving them to a ‘5 in 4’-day week to allow them to take an extra day of work somewhere else. Many companies worry about this as they feel that they want to keep tight control on their workforce, but by openly discussing these options it can enhance a sense of worth within an individual and make them feel wanted and cared for. It is clear that economic uncertainty places significant burdens on all of us and froma workplace perspective, it can considerably challenge the mental health of a workforce. Feelings of uncertainty and instability may be subdued with empathic communication, enhanced transparency around roles and expectations and by creating a positive work environment. Meeting your workforce’s needs for flexible working arrangements alongside training and upskilling can both create and enhance their sense of safety, stability and trust.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mjk3Mzkz