As the UK prepares for Lockdown Round 2, it seems that working from home is very much what the ‘new normal’ will look like. People all over the world have been practicing social distancing for months, and with this looking set to stay in place until a vaccine for COVID-19 is found, workplaces are most likely going to continue being radically different in the months to come.
With all these unknown changes, many employees may still be struggling with their mental health. According to the mental health charity Mind, 1 in 6 workers experience common mental health problems such a stress, anxiety or depression, even before the changes to our lives and work forced on us by the Coronavirus pandemic. *
It’s important to understand that no-one needs to be an expert on mental health. Often small, everyday day actions can make the biggest difference, and it can be as simple as communication. Keeping this going between ourselves and our employees will help to successfully manage the transition out of this new lockdown, dispelling the concerns of many workers, and helping everyone reduce their possible anxieties and the uncertainty around eventually returning to the workplace.
The UK government has again issued guidance and timescales for coming out of this lockdown. However, there are sure to be some individual issues that employers must consider before they begin the transition. Guidance is available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19.
Employers with more than five workers are already obliged to produce regular health and safety risk assessments, and by now will have hopefully ensured all areas of their work environment are in line the COVID-19 risk assessments. Employers with fewer than five workers are not required to write anything down as part of the risk assessment.
Workplace health and safety risks need to be identified and appropriately managed, with employers needing to be a step ahead of a raft of employment related concerns. Some issues may not become apparent until employees begin to return to the workplace fulltime, so it is important that employers listen to their employees concerns and are willing to review the measures in place at each stage of this process.
Employers may need to continue considerations for employment arrangements, contracts, as well as creating workplace flexibility to not only keep a business moving forward, but to keep all employees mentally and physically supported.
Some employers may continue to introduce changes to working hours or cohorting, potentially allowing people to work flexible hours should they need to avoid public transport rush hours. Depending on the workplace, it may be that PPE is continued to be used, if staff need to interact with the public for example. However, consideration should still be given to staff with skin complaints, breathing difficulties, anxiety or any condition that makes masks uncomfortable or difficult to wear.
In some cases, employers may still find that their employees are reluctant to return to the workplace after this second lockdown, based on the seemingly ineffective results of the last return. These worries may be excelled if they continue to have, or live with someone who has, an underlying health condition. In these circumstances, it is recommended to manage on an individual basis. Where possible, employers should continue to encourage staff to work from home, in line with government guidance.
For many office workers the remote working practice seen in the past few months may lead to a rise in requests for more flexible working patterns going forward, including working from home days. In many cases a full or partial move to homeworking may not be operationally feasible for some businesses or specific roles, however it’s important that staff feel safe if returning to the office is the only viable option.
Most important is perhaps letting staff know that they are not alone. There are many who feel alone, isolated and anxious, especially as we prepare to go through the same cycle again. Regular engagement with teams is key – not only to keep them updated on everyday work matters, but to monitor their well-being during these challenging and uncertain times.
Supporting wellbeing and mental health in your teams is so important, especially in these unprecedented times. Whether through individual discussion – or providing access to a confidential Employee Assistance Helpline – going the extra mile now could give you the best possible chance of having a motivated, positive and committed workforce who are collectively in a good place when we get through to the other side.
If you want your employees to look after your business now and in the future, now is the time, more than ever before, to look after them.
*https://www.mind.org.uk/workplace/
This content is published and provided for informational purposes only. The information contained within constitutes the author’s own opinions. i-stock is a trading style of Tavistock Wealth Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FCA No: 568089. Tavistock Wealth do not provide financial advice. Registered Office: 1 Bracknell Beeches, Old Bracknell Lane, Bracknell RG12 7BW, Company Number 07805960. Tavistock Wealth Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tavistock Investments Plc. None of the information contained in the document constitutes a recommendation that any particular investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. Source of data: Lovemoney.com, tfagroup.co.uk, Tavistock Wealth Limited unless otherwise stated.
Good post! We will be linking to this particularly great content on our site. Keep up the good writing. Doroteya Kerwin Shinberg
There is certainly a lot to know about this subject. I love all the points you made. Peggi Drud Giorgia
I think this site holds some very excellent information for everyone : D. Hetty Geordie Branham
I got what you intend,saved to bookmarks, very nice internet site. Nadine Martino Mendelsohn
I regard something really interesting about your web site so I saved to my bookmarks . Abbey Maje Memberg
I every time used to read post in news papers but now as I am a user of web thus from now I am using net for articles, thanks to web. Loreen Frannie Dearborn
Some truly wonderful articles on this site, appreciate it for contribution. “A liar should have a good memory.” by Quintilian. Biddy Jaye Darsey
I always used to study post in news papers but now as I am a user of net so from now I am using net for articles or reviews, thanks to web. Lucilia Ralph Brenda
Thank you ever so for you article. Thanks Again. Want more. Betta Hobart Selena
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this post plus the rest of the site is extremely good. Danni Gare Islaen
I visited many web pages but the audio quality for audio songs existing at this web site is in fact marvelous. Amelina Igor Lunnete
You made some nice points there. I did a search on the topic and found most persons will approve with your site. Darci Gaile Delwyn
I really liked your article. Really looking forward to read more. Cool. Fiorenze Quincy Jenette
Hey there. I discovered your blog by means of Google even as looking for a similar subject, your site came up. It seems great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then. Noni Kelby Dylana
Since the admin of this web page is working, no uncertainty very quickly it will be well-known, due to its feature contents. Lenette Andres Giguere
Sed reprehenderit quam, non felis, erat cum a, gravida lorem a. Ultricies in pellentesque ipsum arcu ipsum ridiculus velit magna, ut a elit est. Ultricies metus arcu sed massa. Massa suspendisse lorem turpis ac. Kalli Ashby Godewyn
Keep up the excellent piece of work, I read few posts on this web site and I believe that your site is real interesting and has sets of superb information. Blair Daven Feinstein
Wonderful beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your site, how could i subscribe for a blog web site? Dian Spenser Grefe
When I initially left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the same comment. There has to be a means you can remove me from that service? Thanks a lot. Jehanna Sidnee Towney
I have read some excellent stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how a lot attempt you place to create this kind of wonderful informative website. Nadeen ErvIn Powel
this site contains child porn ,this site contains child porn Charisse Cointon Rebe
Good replies in return of this query with firm arguments and telling the whole
thing regarding that.
Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I truly enjoyed reading it, you
will be a great author.I will make certain to bookmark your blog and will eventually come back
later on. I want to encourage that you continue your great writing, have a nice holiday
weekend!
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up.
Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to
say wonderful blog!
Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! By the way, how can we communicate?| Kyrstin Ragnar Custer
De ce nu? Nu-i tot masina? E mult mai fiabila, fara cutie de viteze sau piese in miscare la motor care presupun uzura. Evaluarea bateriei, a caroseriei si cam asta e. E perfecta pt piata de second hand dupa mine. Vida Niels Mayberry
WOW just what I was looking for. Came here by searching for leke
kremi satin al
Great article. I will be dealing with a few of these issues as well.. Max Vladamir Stegman
Thank you Rechelle! I would love to see how yours turn out! Beatrice Dale Sile
You made some clear points there. I did a search on the issue and found most people will go along with with your blog. Rona Angus Lindholm
As soon as I noticed this site I went on reddit to share some of the love with them. Bird Elwyn Nellda
Hello there. I discovered your website via Google at the same time as searching for a related topic, your site came up. It appears to be great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then. Amelita Tore Coral
This is a very useful material. God bless you for this. Crissie Isak Soane
Good post. I certainly appreciate this website. Keep writing!| Janessa Tiebold Barfuss
I really like and appreciate your article post. Really thank you! Fantastic. Stormi Jeff Ivetts Hermia Pennie Cassondra
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean. A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies it with the necessary Cathrine Yvor Marlowe
Very descriptive blog, I loved that bit. Will there be a part 2? Lorrayne Hashim Bullen
Only wanna tell that this is extremely helpful, Thanks for taking your time to write this. Marin Bret Ailin
Wow, wonderful weblog format! How long have you ever been running a blog for? you made running a blog glance easy. The full look of your site is excellent, as neatly as the content! Rachelle Gil Marras
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this article and the rest of the site is also very good. Erina Marten Elenore
If some one needs expert view concerning blogging and site-building after that i advise him/her to visit this web site, Keep up the good job. Candra Adams Brok
always a massive fan of linking to bloggers that I adore but dont get a whole lot of link like from Gisele Costa Sari
Cool blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere?
A theme like yours with a few simple tweeks would
really make my blog jump out. Please let me know where you got
your design. Appreciate it
Everything is very open with a very clear explanation of the issues. It was really informative. Your website is very helpful. Thank you for sharing! Joice Scarface Curnin
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to mention that I’ve truly enjoyed browsing your weblog posts.
In any case I’ll be subscribing for your feed and I am hoping you write once more very soon!
Enjoyed every bit of your article. Thanks Again. Fantastic. Lavinie Cy Josefina
A round of applause for your blog. Thanks Again. Keep writing. Lorianne Cordell Virginie
Great site. Plenty of useful information here. I am sending it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks for your sweat! Faina Lisle Basil
I enjoy you because of all of the effort on this website. My mother take interest in participating in research and it is simple to grasp why. My spouse and i notice all relating to the powerful way you provide valuable tips via your website and in addition recommend response from visitors on this subject matter while our own simple princess is undoubtedly studying so much. Take pleasure in the rest of the year. You have been performing a tremendous job. Theodora Keane Rachele
Passing is a skill you should not neglect if you want to be a truly great soccer player. Adriena Trefor Ferrel
Creativ TRD SRL si lucrare-licenta.eu se ocupa cu plagiat si tepe cu lucrari licenta. Patronul neata adrian valentin de la Creativ TRD SRL livreaza plagiat. Margalo Abel Radmilla
You made some good points there. I looked on the internet for more info about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this site. Candice Karlis Rentsch
I am just commenting to make you understand what a remarkable encounter our child developed studying your site. She came to find a lot of details, which include what it is like to have an incredible teaching spirit to get the rest easily grasp some grueling subject areas. You undoubtedly exceeded her expected results. Thank you for distributing the effective, safe, edifying and in addition cool tips on this topic to Tanya. Bobbee Glendon Jonis
Hi Jeff, thanks for leaving a comment and yes working with a coach and mentor when starting your business can save so much time. Trying to understand everything when you are getting started building an online business can be quite a task; however, working with others and having the chance to ask questions and understanding which path to take I feel is very rewarding. I am passionate about helping people find success. Lorilee Halsy Tyree
This is hilarious! Thanks for this Em, keep it up, look forward to reading more. Lenna Dugald Jamilla
I really appreciate this video as a broke college student. The music and visuals were so calming & I am for sure doing the last project! Loren Hermon Ryle