It's really important to set work boundaries when working from home. For example:As a manager, sign off publicly via email when it’s the end of the day to encourage your employees to finish on time tooCheck in with them in the morning, ask how they are and be encouraging Routine is crucial in order to maintain wellbeing Ensure that you have more regular team meetings booked in so that those team members who are isolating alone have more contact Be open and communicative, send reassuring and encouraging emails to ensure people are engaged and motivated As a manager, please ensure you follow this same advice. It is essential you look after your own wellbeing in order to effectively support those around you, now more than ever.If you have any specific questions about wellbeing in the workplace, do call or email your specific employment specialist contact and we will try and support you as best we can.
HOW TO REASSURE EMPLOYEES AND SUPPORT THEM OVER THE PHONE
It is a very anxiety provoking time at the moment and it is important to acknowledge this so that employees feel their worries are valid.
If employees ask direct questions about coronavirus, reassure them that: The lock down is to ensure we all look after each other and to support our NHS services Its okay to feel overwhelmed and emotional.They can leave the house to buy food, medication from the pharmacy and to do some exercise once a day, and to encourage employees to do so. They can speak with their line manager/colleague if they need someone to talk to, or that there are plenty of services they can contact if they need to speak with someone professional (numbers at the bottoms of this page).
In order to boost morale and ensure employees feel less lonely, it could be good to set up a group chat on slack or whatsapp.
Have employees pair up to check in with each other more regularly so that they can confide in each other about their adapted role and the potential stressors of working from home.
Encourage employees to have more regular breaks – research shows that one 5 min break (getting up and making a drink for example) every 25 mins is more effective than one longer break
Encouraging employees to not read too much news or spend too much time on social media as this can cause increased anxiety.In addition, social media can often include false information.Therefore, advising that employees listen and read to credible sites like: Gov.uk or BBC news
WELL-BEING RESOURCES FOR WORKING FROM HOME:
Throughout this Covid-19 Rescources Sheet, there are a lots of resources that you can tap into which will support your employees. Specifically check out the 'Health and Well-being' tab and the 'Crisis contact number' tab for specific helpline numbers to call and more detailed information and resources.
MIND and NHS Mind Matters are providing helpful advice and practical tips on how to plan and adapt if you are needing to self-isolate:
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/#collapse7d8af
https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-staying-at-home-tips/
Northumberland, Thyne and Wear NHS have put together a self-help leaflet to manage stress https://web.ntw.nhs.uk/selfhelp/leaflets/Stress%20A4%202016%20FINAL.pdf
TO HELP EMPLOYEES SLEEP
Sleepio
Self-help, web-based course to help those with insomnia or sleeping difficulties Based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and is accessible 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week Proven to help people make great improvements with their sleep
https://www.sleepio.com/
Northumberland, Thyne and Wear NHS Self-help leaflet. It is a guidance on how to overcome sleeping difficulties: https://web.ntw.nhs.uk/selfhelp/leaflets/Sleeping%20Problems%20A4%202016%20FINAL
EXERCISE AT HOME LINKS:
NHS Gym Free workouts: A collection of free workout exercises which you can access at home such as chair-based exercises and fitness videos, which include dance, yoga and strength-building exercises. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/gym-free-workouts/
Active 10 is a free app which supports you to build brisk walking into your daily routine. https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/active10/home
SUPPORT FOR THOSE WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR ISOLATED OLDER OR ELDERLY PARENTS
AGE UK provides a free telephone support service designed to support those who are worried about coronavirus.
They can receive weekly calls to check in on how they are and to help them solve any practical problems
They will be invited to leave their name and number on an answer phone for a team member to call back as soon as possible during working hours
Call 01865 411 288
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/oxfordshire/about-us/news/coronavirus
SILVER LINE UK offers a confidential, free helpline for people over aged 55 24hrs a day, 7 days a week
Information and friendship can be provided, weekly calls and facilitated group calls to connect people who have shared topics of interest
GENERATION GAMESAge UK’s physical activity service, Generation Games, offers an online video for home exercising for people over the age of 50.
https://generationgames.org.uk/videos/
EMPLOYMENT ADVICE AND GOVERNMENT LINKS:
ACAS:
For advice regarding working from home for employers https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus
Employers can also sign up to the newsletter which might be useful too: https://obs.acas.org.uk/subscription/
Gov website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR WOULD LIKE FURTHER SUPPORT WITH REGARDS TO YOUR STAFFS MENTAL WELL-BEING, DO PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR WORKING WELL TRUST CONTACT.