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Going The Extra Mile for Employees During The Pandemic.

From putting their families’ health and safety at risk to working long hours, your team has gone above and beyond…

Going The Extra Mile for Employees During The Pandemic

5th November 2020

employees

The past few months have been chaotic for business owners. Keeping the doors open amid a national health crisis has presented several challenges. With the added costs of complying with health and safety procedures and restrictive operational guidelines to easing the fears and accommodating consumers’ shrinking budgets, many companies struggle to remain afloat. If not for their employees’ hard work and dedication, most businesses would cease to exist. 

During these trying times, employees have stepped up to the plate to provide quality products and services to loyal customers. From putting their families’ health and safety at risk to working long hours, your team has gone above and beyond to help you weather this storm. As such, it’s only right that you find practical ways to return the favor. Below is a list of ways to show your appreciation to your employees in the middle of a pandemic. 

 

Adequate PPE

One of the scariest things essential workers have to live with is the risk of contracting the virus and taking it home to their families. Essentially, this reduces your workforce and threatens the well-being of your team, customers, and communities. That’s why employers should do everything they can to ensure everyone’s safety. 

Along with developing safety procedures for employees and customers and maintaining a clean and sanitized facility, ensure everyone has enough personal protective equipment (PPE) to safeguard against the virus. You can find masks, gloves, and hand sanitizers in bulk online and stock up on these essentials. 

 

Flexible Scheduling

Many employees have increased responsibility at home. Some have children that are learning from home. Others have aging parents that they’ve decided to care for throughout this crisis. With more responsibilities comes increased levels of emotional and physical stress. You can show your support for your team by offering flexible scheduling during the pandemic. Allowing employees to work shifts that accommodate their personal needs eases their frustrations, which improves morale. 

 

Remote Work

If you have employees at your team with a higher risk of developing life-threatening symptoms from the coronavirus, allowing them to work remotely is ideal. This concept reduces their risks as they earn a living. It also reduces turnover rates and spreading the virus to customers and in-house staff. With the right technologies, you can hold meetings, delegate tasks, and manage employee schedules and payroll from virtually anywhere. 

 

Free Meals and Refreshments

Some companies have ramped up production to meet the rising demands of their target consumers. As a result, they’ve relied heavily on existing staff to pick up the slack. With longer hours and heavier workloads, there’s barely any time to eat, which leaves your team hungry, sluggish, and unproductive. 

Offering free meals and refreshments can go a long way in supporting essential personnel. Place some Turkish coffee, herbal teas, and fresh-baked muffins, donuts, and pastries in the breakroom for breakfast. You could also treat the team to an occasional lunch at a local restaurant. It saves your employees some money, keeps them properly nourished, boosts morale, and provides you with an opportunity to connect on a more personal level. 

 

Be There

Though there are many ways to show support for your essential personnel during the pandemic, being there garners the best results. Your employees want to know that you understand what they’re going through and share their fears and concerns. By being present during these uncertain times, you show them that you care about more than their talents and experience. 

Make room in your schedule to be present during various shifts, walk around and get to learn more about your employees, or hold regular one-on-one meetings via phone or in-person to build a connection. Try going beyond the workplace’s needs and talk about their lives during the pandemic, their families, and plans for the future.

It’s been a rollercoaster ride for businesses large and small amid the pandemic. As the future remains unclear, entrepreneurs must learn how to invest in their establishments’ continued growth and success. This starts by going the extra mile to care for essential personnel who risk their lives and the lives of their families to ensure that your needs are met. The ideas discussed above go a long way in letting them know just how much you care. 

Categories: Advice, Articles

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