All eyes are on the leaders and HR professionals as this pandemic continues to evolve. Employees are watching every move. In a recent online post, insights for surviving the pandemic were shared (Steinberg, 2020). Here are some of the most recent highlights:
- Consistent Communication
Have weekly one-to-ones with managers, create HR touch-ins, leader check-ins, and have an all-employee meeting at least once a week. Be creative, have coffee together over Zoom to get the day started. Create newsletters or written communication from one source at the same time each week. Utilize the same technology platform, such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom, Go To, Chyme, etc. For a fast-mobile message, establish a group in an app like WeChat, WhatsApp, or GroupMe.
- Recognizing Wins
Hold space on the agenda to discuss accomplishments from the week, big or small. This recognition can occur during meetings, check-in conversations, or during round-tables. Share the information as a shout out on social media or internal platforms.
- Clear Expectations
Provide guidelines, boundaries, and clear expectations for the team. What was expected four weeks ago looks much different. Assume nothing: communicate, reinforce, and follow-up.
- Provide Support
Needs to look different for everyone; do more than forwarding a link to benefits, employee assistance programs, or other resources. Communicate tirelessly about safety. People want to see, hear, and be reassured.
- Navigating COVID-19 Employee Scenarios
Stay closer to your HR leader or HR consultant. Having an objective perspective to develop processes, create solutions, and walk through each step is critical. It is important to be consistent, fair, empathetic, and knowledgeable; be clear on the “why.”
- Training
When this crisis ends, we will need to get back quickly. Use this time to educate and train the team on the skills they will need. For example, sales managers will need to build relationships for business and not ‘sell’ – many younger sales managers, not having worked during the financial crisis in 2008-2009 or the 9/11 terror attacks, may be more of an order taker. Offer online training classes as a way to keep employees engaged.
- Productivity
Focus more on the activities to be productive during this new reduced level of business volume instead of being results-focused. Try working on projects that you don’t ever have time for. Get a prospecting plan together for a sales blitz.
- Work-from-home Strategies
It sounds more fun until you actually do it! Establish a schedule; this includes taking breaks – go for a walk, talk with a friend on the phone, do a few exercises. Schedule blocks of time to respond to email and consider shutting email off when working on a project to avoid distractions. If acceptable, try and ‘turn off’ when the “workday” is done so that there is a line between personal and work. It’s too easy for life to turn into work 24/7.
- Be Flexible
As a leader, be flexible to the challenges that an employee working from home will have during this time, as they may have a spouse, children, or ailing parents all in the home with them at the same time. With the restrictions in getting out of the house to obtain essentials, shopping may need to occur during the day, as many stores are closing much earlier.
- Self-Care
Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Eat healthily. Add exercise into your daily routine, even if it is a walk with your spouse or family. Establish a schedule so that you can get quality sleep at night. Despite not needing to show up for work, take a shower, and get dressed. Find ways to connect via video chats or calls to help yourself cope with what’s happening. Avoid the news when possible.
We would love to hear your perspective and focus right now. How are you supporting businesses and people? Email Meghan@steinberghr.com
Meghan Steinberg
Steinberg HR
SteinbergHR.com
617-680-0358
meghan@steinberghr.com