Towards the beginning of the pandemic, employers were pushing out messaging that revolved around the importance of building a strong company culture. In a previous blog, I even shared several tips on how to maintain company culture during this pandemic, but there has been a significant shift in the narrative for communicators. Nobody could have accurately predicted what the world was going to look like in November. Now that months have passed and we continue to navigate new obstacles, these messages have shifted focus from company culture to boosting employee morale. Separation from coworkers, friends and family members for extended periods, combined with staying home for months on end, has taken a toll on people’s mental and physical health.
Below are a few reasons why you should consider focusing on your employees, especially as we head into the winter months:
Do you have new employees? A smaller team?
Changes in your team—whether that’s welcoming a new employee or seeing one leave—can change the team’s dynamic, especially while working remotely. A new employee is likely nervous about starting a job with people with whom they will only interact through a screen and a keyboard. It is important to consider their feelings of not being able to join a physical team that they are familiar with. Similarly, if anyone is preparing to leave the company, you should discuss a plan for how you will help them transition out of their role in the least stressful way possible.
Telework might not be everything you thought it would be…and that’s OK!
Most of us were likely thrilled when we found out you could work while also wearing your pajamas. We’ve all read articles or seen videos about how to boost your productivity during quarantining months, how to stay in shape or how to bake the perfect loaf of sourdough bread. But as you’ve settled into this new routine, your reality might look and feel different, and that is both normal and acceptable. Fortunately, employers have shown compassion towards their employees and have been introducing options to reward them for their hard work or help them through difficult days.
Don’t Try to Predict the Future.
It can be daunting to try and say what our future will look like months from now. While it’s impossible to predict how this pandemic will continue to play out, you could take some comfort in the fact that we know how to live in the present better than we did before. Instead of trying to predict the future, companies should continue to focus on the present and be transparent with their employees. When leaders communicate regularly with employees—even if they don’t have all the answers—it can serve to reassure them, to create an environment of trust and give them the motivation they need to stay focused on their career goals.
These are all factors to take into consideration whether your organization is crafting messages, onboarding or offboarding staff, or trying to maintain the momentum of your team. The reality of what is happening all over the world has changed the way companies try to fight off employee disenchantment and burnout. If you or someone you know is feeling unmotivated, try to remain calm, prioritize communication and remember that we are all connected in some way as we traverse through this shared experience.
Cool insight on what has been going on in the corporate world.