Early in the pandemic, we naively thought this “new normal” would last a few weeks at most. Now, a year and a half later, many of us are still in this season. Because of this, it’s no surprise that all this time working under abnormal conditions has your team is feeling stressed, overworked, and burnt out. Here’s how you can support your employees as a manager.
Listen to your team
What are your employees saying to you? We don’t just mean with their actual words, but with their actions and responses. Listening and supporting your staff is about paying attention to their needs, whether spoken or unspoken.
If an employee tells you they’re fine, but is struggling with meeting deadlines and insubordination, it could be indicative that they are burnt out. Instead of responding immediately with repercussions, try and get to the bottom of the problem.
Find ways to thank and support them
It’s likely you can’t give everyone the wonderful raise you’d like to, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways to give them space and say thank you. Where possible, consider extra office closures or paid time off. Supply gift cards to treat themselves to a meal. Extend their break times, so they have more time to rest. The ideas are really endless.
Take mental health seriously
Burnout will look different across your team. In some cases, it could be mild and some extra time away will do the trick. More often, it is likely that additional support is needed.
Find programs and services to support the mental health of your employees. Find out what insurance covers and communicate those details to your team. Neglecting their mental health (and yours!) can lead to more issues down the line.
Don’t lose sight of your culture
Your company culture should be a focus always, but when times are stressful, it can be easy to lose sight. With so many other things to consider, don’t forget the importance of a positive company culture. Check-in and see how things are going and the general (in-person or virtual) environment vibe.
Looking for additional staff support? Sterling Personnel has your back!
If you’ve lost team members over the past 18 months or you’re looking for additional help, we’re here to support you! As your strategic partner, we’ll assess your needs and determine how we can help through our recruiting, flexible payroll, and staff services. Contact us to learn more today!
