How can employers support their staff to make sure they don’t feel isolated this winter?

The pandemic has had a huge impact on the way we live and work and many employees are still working from home. We are in lockdown again and this time we don’t have the sunshine as a consolation. Some of us may be dealing with possible job losses within the family, having to shield loved ones, or having to provide home schooling. Winter is nearly upon us and for these reasons and more, employees may well feel isolated.

Since March, many employers have responded by putting more focus on promoting mental wellbeing and supporting employee engagement to make sure nobody feels alone.

There are lots of initiatives an employer can introduce, such as providing training for appointed employees to become mental health first aiders. They can then be the first point of contact to support staff who may be experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress.

Mental health webinars would be another great addition, these are readily available and generally free of charge. Such webinars can provide employees with valuable information and tips on how to maintain their wellbeing, especially as we go into winter where isolation naturally occurs.

I think the majority of us have become accustomed to virtual meetings through platforms like Zoom and Teams. These have proven to be such valuable tools for business but it’s important to utilise these for social purposes too. We all miss going out for a team lunch, or a trip to the pub. Let’s hope we can get back to these in the not too distant future, but in the meantime we can make use of these online platforms to help create an inclusive environment for all for things like a virtual breakfast, a Friday quiz, an after work drink or maybe just a general catch up. The social element cannot be forgotten in these difficult times, we need this to bring our colleagues together.

Physical wellbeing is also so important, especially for those with busy sedentary jobs. It can be challenging to take yourself away from your PC/laptop to get that all important dose of daily exercise. Employers can promote healthy activities, perhaps a running ‘club’ or a challenge to achieve a certain number of daily steps. Communications to encourage hydration and health eating habits would also be a great way to promote physical wellbeing.

The challenges we have all faced over the last few months mean that employers need to make sure their employees feel supported and connected to the organisation and more importantly, each other. This is essential to make sure no one feels isolated, especially with those cold, dark days ahead.

If you would like to discuss your wellbeing strategy please do get in touch.