COVID-19 has had a huge impact on business. It has affected customer base, revenue, cash flow and day to day business operations and interactions. It has also given employers somewhat of a challenge when it comes to managing their employees.
Perhaps you have some or all of your staff working from home.
Maybe some have had to be furloughed, and you are bringing them back one by one, trying to keep the risk level down.
Maybe you are having to rearrange shifts to cope with employee childcare problems, accommodate those who have to self-isolate and remain in contact with your Contact Tracing service if there is an outbreak in your workplace. In short, the Coronavirus pandemic is causing most small business owners a real headache.
It is not something that is likely to go away soon and has potentially changed the way that we work and run businesses forever.
This may seem daunting at the moment, but look how far you have come since it first landed in our lives at the beginning of the year.
Here, we look at some of the ways that you can manage your employees in the COVID-19 chaos – and beyond.
Outline expectations for remote workers
Remote working is something that many workplaces have embraced and for lots of people, it works really well. However, it can be a challenge to remain flexible while making sure that the work is getting done.
You need to bear in mind that for some people, remote working is completely new and it can take some getting used to. They may also be juggling it with children at home and no dedicated workspace. This can impact on productivity, so flexibility is essential.
However, you still need to lay out some expectations, provide online training to ensure they can access the tools and technology that they need to do their job and establish policies to keep everyone safe and your information secure.
Encouragement regular engagement and interaction
One of the biggest problems that Coronavirus causes is loneliness. Working from home can be isolating, and even if you are in the workspace, the social distancing and required wearing of masks can feel lonely.
Encourage interaction through virtual meetings – perhaps a morning meeting where everyone can just say hello and raise any issues. Keep these short but also make sure they are safe spaces where you can just chat and catch up.
Support mental health
Lots of people are struggling with poor mental health at the moment. Not being able to see friends and family, fears over contracting the illness, financial worries and so on are taking a toll on people.
As an employer, you are in an ideal position to signpost mental health resources and support your employees. Treat mental health in the same way you would physical health – with care and compassion.
Being a small business owner and employer at this time has plenty of challenges, and as time goes on, new ones will be thrown our way. It is how you deal with them that your employees and clients will remember.
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