PRCA MENA MHW - A Company Culture of Care Will Keep ‘Remote Working’ Staff Productive and Healthy!

A Company Culture of Care Will Keep ‘Remote Working’ Staff Productive and Healthy!

Hilmarie Hutchison, CEO, Matrix Public Relations

We have witnessed several corporate changes ever since COVID-19 raised its ugly head. This global crisis has disrupted almost every aspect of our lives – from the way we interact with each other to how we move around and how we work.

Many months down the line, most of us are still struggling to adapt to the changes, especially concerning our jobs. Some of these changes have drastically affected our work-life as most people were suddenly faced with having to work from home.

Working from home might sound like a cool trend but the many distractions and stresses of family life can be quite demanding thus affecting our productivity. Healthy employees are likely to be more productive. With ‘working from home’ now becoming a necessity, companies need to ensure that their employees are safe, engaged and most importantly, healthy.

Companies, therefore, need to ask themselves if their employees can successfully juggle home and work life. Such questions are necessary because a healthy company culture goes a long way in boosting its growth and success.

Employers are now faced with the challenges of crafting a new ‘working from home’ workplace culture. Some organizations have now integrated a mix and match working policy to cushion employees and also keep the business going.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the fear, worry and stress it is causing, chances of having a spike in the number of mental health cases are extremely high.

So, what can leaders do? The first thing is to make their employees feel wanted and reassure them that they are still part of the team.

11 Tips that companies can use to keep staff productive and healthy

Cultivating engagement and a spirit of sharing. This can be done through Zoom, Slack, emails, phone calls, or even text messages.
Building an element of trust. They can do this by encouraging employees and showing them that you believe they can do quality work and deliver it on time.
Keep them in the know. Provide employees with regular updates on management decisions and client progress.
Showing them that YOU care. This can be done by asking the employees how they are coping with the new system and asking about their physical and mental health.
Provide professional help when needed. Employers can also check to see if their workers need professional intervention like counseling and make them feel wanted and included.
Listening well. Leaders need to develop an attitude of the ‘attentive ear’. They should hear out their employees, let them air their grievances, and discuss solutions to their problems.
Recognize & celebrate. Another way that they can create a good working environment is by remembering small things like their birthdays. Employers can go the extra mile and send birthday messages, cards, or even gifts. This can be one way of showing that they care.
Offer a helping hand. Sending employees meals can also be another way of boosting their spirit. They can have dinners or lunches delivered to the employees’ doors at least once a month just to show them that they still remember and care for them.
Boosting team morale is the way to go. This can be done through group meetings and conference calls. Creating a team atmosphere can create a sense of belonging and give them the face time they crave for.
Provide the right working infrastructure. Ensuring that employees have the right and effective communication tools.
Offering them new responsibilities can also be a good way to empower team members. Doing this will boost their confidence and give them a sense of pride.

The definition of a workplace has changed. This new world can create uneasiness and a fear of the unknown, and that can lead to mental health issues. This could stem from the drastic change or, for some, it could be financial difficulties or even redundancies.

The time for management to step up and reassure their employees is now. You can do this by creating a positive culture that is built around care, open dialogue, and a healthy exchange of ideas.