The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to permanently change the way we work. Many business owners and managers are having to navigate new territory in terms of how they lead and support their teams with the workplace now dispersed and team members working from home. Now more than ever, it is important for leaders to support their employees’ health and wellbeing to ensure productivity and connectedness continues.

The public relations team at Adoni Media has some tips for business leaders on how to support their team and ensure they continue to perform effectively.

Monitor physical and mental health risks

If your team is working from home, make sure they are set up with everything they need to complete their work. Working from home may put additional pressure on some team members so consider how you can help your team deal with any associated stress and anxiety. Little things like helping to talk someone through how to log on to a videoconference call could go a long way to easing their concerns.

It is important to monitor your team and check-in regularly. Show empathy, let your team members know they are supported and give them the resources they need to help them get through this tough time. If your team is still working from the office, make sure there are strict measures in place to ensure restrictions are followed and employees remain healthy.

Be open and transparent about job security

Everyone is aware of the tough circumstances businesses are currently facing, so it’s important to be open and transparent with employees about how the business is performing. With many people on edge about their jobs, be honest with your employees and reassure them of their job security or warn them job cuts or reduced hours may be necessary. It is also important to encourage your team to be open and transparent with you about their workload and what they are up to. Honesty and transparency is key for both team member and team leader.

Stay in contact

Skype, Slack and Zoom are a few of the platforms businesses are regularly using to keep in contact with their team while working from home. It’s important to make your team feel connected and videoconferencing can be a more effective way of checking in and having a chat, rather than text and email.

Promote positivity and an inclusive culture

Social isolation is taking a toll on all employees, so make sure you are promoting positivity and maintaining interactions as much as possible. Don’t underestimate the value of manners and simply saying ‘thank you’ for tasks your team completes. If birthdays or other milestones come up during isolation, make sure you celebrate them. If coffee catch ups or after-work drinks were the norm in the office, find ways to continue these activities online.

Encourage a healthy work/life balance

Encourage your team to take coffee and lunch breaks as they usually would in the office. It can be easy to work over-time when you’re constantly a few steps away from your laptop at home, but it is important to remind your employees to only work their set hours. As a leader or manager, you need to allow your team to be flexible, so negotiate working days and hours for your team. This is particularly important for parents who are juggling home-schooling kids.