Health and Safety For Employees
Health and safety is a legal requirement to ensure that employees are provided with a safe environment to work in, but due to the ongoing pandemic, it has been harder for employers to ensure that their employees are working within a safe environment at home.
At-home risk assessments were introduced to allow employers to assess the area where employee's would be working at home; this could be assessed and monitored by employers by being provided with images of the room from their employee.
Some employees may need certain equipment to fulfil their tasks and responsibilities efficiently.
Ensure that you discuss with your employees if they need anything, for example:
If they are used to working in the office, could they be provided with the equipment they normally use such as a chair, or desk?
It isn't a legal requirement to provide you employees with equipment, but if they are struggling to work efficiently at home, they may ask you if they can borrow some equipment until they can return back to the normal place of work.
Employee Wellbeing
Another way to support employee health is to keep track of employee leave and sickness - are your employees requesting for a substantial amount of holiday? Is this frequent?
Staying connected with employees, and reassuring them that they can come to you if they're becoming overwhelmed with the workload can all individuals to feel supported and can also help you gain more respect from your employees.
Relating to our article 'How to Manager Your Remote Team', ensure that your employees are taking proper breaks whilst they're working - over-productivity and stress can cause their performance to decline, and may lead to more serious mental health problems if they aren't acknowledged, and addressed.
Motivating Employees
Highlighting individual recognition is a great way to encourage your employees to become more driven and focused, and can increase the quality of the work they can present. For your company, you may wish to introduce rewards as a form of recognition for employees that have shown their dedication and pride in their work.
Hard work shouldn't go un-noticed, especially during times like these. This can give your employees more confidence and determination to do will and produce work at the best quality they can.
Rewards can be a variety of things from:
- Wellbeing day
- Family day
To:
- Money bonuses
- Development opportunities within the company
How to Support Employees
With employees working remotely, supporting employees can be more challenging as they aren't getting the same face-to-face interaction as they would in the past.
- Trusting, and staying connected with your employees can provide them with the supportive structure that can help them thrive.
- Group and individual video calls with employees can promote team participation and allow them all to feel more at ease.
- Promoting team discussion can help individuals to work together and reach company goals quicker, gain customer satisfaction, and confidence.
- Use surveys to allow your employees t express their thoughts and wishes whilst working from home