Businesses Should Place Greater Focus on Wellness this Season
Cayley Dow, CPHR
HR Consultant. Change Leadership. Culture Transformation. Talent Acquisition & Design. Outplacement Services. Coach.
The holiday season is here again!
It has me thinking about wellness and how this 2020 season will look very different for many people.
It is no secret; the time of year comes with great anticipation but can lack sparkle and cheer for many. In this “unicorn” year called 2020, employees are at risk of the compounded and simultaneous effects of pandemic burnout AND the holiday blues.
From an HR lens, the connection between wellness, engagement and performance is well established. Focusing on employees’ health and wellness any year, but especially in this year of uncertainty, should be the highest priority for your business.
Right now some of your employees are…
- Feeling isolated for missing friends and loved ones
- Hit with deep financial constraints and guilt that it is bare under the tree
- Anxious about their health and the health of their family into the future
- Fearing for their job security, and/or have an unemployed spouse or dependent
- Grieving loss of a loved one without closure by way of funeral or ceremony
- Lacking a happy or safe home environment
- Processing the trauma of a recent layoff from your business or another employer
Yet, because we are not physically together to see and hear, it may be difficult to notice those who are struggling.
Some ideas:
- Amp up your soft skills – lean into your compassion and your intuition, check-in more frequently
- Acknowledge wellness with your teams – open the door to the conversation and support
- Remind about the EAP – this is a great time of year to remind your team about resources such as your Employee Assistance Program
- Offer additional resources – one example, Marriott International provides all current and furloughed employees access to MeQuilibrium, an app that offers personalized wellness activities, assessments and support
- Retain an external coach - coaching provides a safe outlet for employees in times of uncertainty and guidance to move forward regardless of external factors, thereby reducing anxiety
What is your business doing to support employee wellness during this holiday season?
Talent Management | Learning & Development I Leadership I Facilitator I Coach
4 年Thanks for posting!
I Help Leaders Achieve Results in 90 Days | Executive Coach | Consultant | Speaker | Gamification Strategist | Triathlete
4 年'Vacation' as we know it may not take place this year -but taking time away from the 'home office' is still important to spend time with family and re-energize yourself to start fresh come the new year!
Fractional HR Leader & Consultant l Workplace Wellness Speaker l Nutritionist For High-Performing Women
4 年I think micro breaks are important since mental fatigued is common. A 15 minute wellness walk ideally outside is key for me - helps to tame that stress hormone, cortisol! Thank you for the post!
I Support Sales Leaders & General Managers Achieve Topline Targets | Sales Strategies | Digital Marketing | Business Development | Leadership | Artificial Intelligence | Hotel Openings | Revenue Management | Branding
4 年Thank you for sharing - Happy Holidays Cayley Dow, CPHR