Support for staff's mental health
According to the Open Forum website, now more than ever it is important to emphasise support for mental health at the workplace. Talk openly to your employees about mental health and teach them to take care of themselves. Be benevolent about their needs, recommend what to do if they feel unable to handle everything, and build a safe and open environment where employees will not be afraid to admit things are getting out of hand and that they need help.
Transparency and open communication
Now is not the time for withholding information and beating about the bush. Although the situation may not be ideal, you should always be honest with your employees. Be transparent and tell things as they really are. Even bad but truthful news is better for employees than the uncertainty of not knowing whether management is being honest and if employees can really trust what the company is saying.
Setting up plans and strategies for crisis scenarios
In order to reduce uncertainty among employees, you should prepare strategies for various situations that might arise. And you should also acquaint employees in detail with these plans. This way, employees will know what to expect and be able to prepare both mentally and otherwise for various possible future developments.
Communication, communication, communication
As in any other kind of crisis, the current situation requires above all open and adequate communication, not only from the company towards employees but also from employees towards the company. More than ever, managers should pay attention to one-on-one meetings with their staff, listen to them and rather overdo communication than underestimate it.
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