The pandemic restrictions have made it exceptionally difficult for most working parents who have to juggle their careers with unpredictable periods of virtual learning (and less opportunities to lean on their typical support systems).
The unprecedented demands and burdens COVID-19 has put on working parents for more than a year are having an exceptional effect on their mental health and well-being. For your employees who are adjusting once again to virtual learning, here are four ways you can provide them with the support they need to better cope with the situation.
1. Check in with your impacted employees. The first step is to acknowledge the challenging scenario your employees are in,ask how they are feeling and coping with the added demand of virtual learning, and how you can help.
2. Identify the workplace mental health resources: Your employees may not be aware that they have access to mental health support through work. This is the time to remind them of these resources and how they can easily and confidentially access the virtual services.
3. Offer additional work flexibility. Now is the time that your employees who have school-aged children need extra flexibility in their workday. For example, consider offering flex hours and/or have the employee(s) focus on the highest priority deliverables.
4. Adjust the workplace expectations during this time. The pandemic has gone on longer than any of us anticipated, but it is temporary and so are the exceptional demands on working parents. For this period of time, consider adjusting your team’s targets and timelines for goals to allow employees who have school-aged kids to cope with the current situation and also look after their mental well-being.
Learn more about how iHealthOX is the one benefit for employee healthcare.
Recent Posts