emotional well-being and your workforce in the time of covid-19 … · 2020. 4. 30. · mental...

Emotional well-being and your workforce

in the time of COVID-19Taking care of your employees

Amy Arnold, MS, CHES, HCDirector, Workforce Health ConsultingKaiser Permanente

1 | Copyright © 2020 Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: COVID-19 UPDATE

Agenda

Rising Anxiety

Impacts on your workforce

Supporting your employees

Resources


MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS CARE

Framework for a psychologically healthy workforce


Know the impact

Break the silence

Ensure robust care options

Build a culture of well-being

Source: https://nebgh.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/workingwell_toolkit_New_2Edition_SCREEN-A.pdf


Rising workforce anxiety


19% Daily increase of anxiety in the first weeks of February112% And an additional increase in the first two weeks of March1

2National Employment Monthly Update 3Washington Post. 1Mental Health America

Virus anxiety Unemployment

22MAmericans unemployed2

15%-20% Current projections3

3.6% Unemployment rate in January2

25%Great Depression in 19332



New workforce priorities that may cause stress• Leave policies

• Benefit policies

• Sick employee protocols

• Productivity needs

• Staffing needs

• Union issues

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING CARE

Change, change, change & the impacts on your workforce


Location

Change of interaction with managers and

employees

Change of business location (virtual, hours, who is in

person)

Change in how we do business

Change in routines & is it possible to maintain a healthy work culture

(realistic or a priority?)

Socially Emotionally

Increase of stress (virus, financial &

other)

Business Healthy



Pre-COVID

$300 billionCosts per year due to workplace stress1

Workers who feel stress on the job1

80%

Continuing uncertainty

Future impact will likely be substantial.

Costs to you as an employer

1 “Workplace Stress,” The American Institute of Stress, stress.org/workplace-stress, accessed May 30, 2019 & April 17, 2020.


Supporting your employeesTo prepare for work-related physical distancing, resilience is key. Here’s 3 strategies you can use:


Strengthen the virtual community

Build trustPromote self-care


Strengthen the virtual community


• Check in with your teams more frequently

• Have a virtual coffee hour with a coworker

• Volunteer to host a virtual 15-minute stretch break

• Host a virtual walking meeting/check-in

• Open team meetings with an icebreaker

• Schedule virtual drop-in office hours (managers)

• Participate and ask questions during virtual meetings

Strengthen the virtual

community

Build trust

Promote self-care


Ways managers can build trust


• Give employees meaningful recognition

• Celebrate team successes

• Set expectations with employees clearly and early

• Check in with teams at the start of meetings

• Check in with employees about their workloads

• Communicate changes in work priorities frequently

• Allow flexible scheduling when possible

• Add rumor-busting to your meeting agenda

Strengthen the virtual

community

Build trust

Promote self-care



of the population is diagnosed with a mental health condition each year.1

20%

Mental health: build trust, provide helpFor those with mental health conditions, this can be a particularly challenging time.

of the population will be diagnosed with a mental health condition in their lifetime.2

50%

.

Prevalence:

Note: Accessing mental health services hasn’t changed, but delivery is mostly virtual at this time



Conversation-starters to reduce stigma and build trustFinding the words to express what we’re all experiencing is hard. But offering support and asking for help are essential.

As an employer, think about how to ask these questions on a consistent basis:• “How are you doing today? I am just checking in.”• “How can I support you today?”

Listen to feedback and take needed action:• Listen and be empathetic• Work with your employee to provide solutions that work in

their situation

For more resources, go to https://findyourwords.org/


Caring for yourself – it’s starts with you

Self-care strategies:

Rest and relaxEat as healthy as you can

Talk and listenGet creative with exercise

Practice kindness



Promote self-careVisit kp.org/selfcare to learn strategies for navigating

life's challenges:


• Find articles, audio, videos, and apps*

• Learn how to manage stress and sleep better

• Find tips about parenting and relationships

• Discover ways to build a mind-body connection

with meditation, mindfulness, and deep breaths

• Help your employees with their ergonomic setup

*The myStrength app is not yet available in KPWA.

Create a virtual

community

Build trust

Promote self-care

Kaiser Permanente Resources

• kp.org/selfcare• kp.org/selfcareapps• kp.org/fitness• kp.org/foodforhealth• findyourwords.org/• business.kp.org/coronavirus

Other Resources

• Mental Health America• National Alliance on Mental Illness• Child Mind Institute• American Foundation for Suicide

Prevention• Active Minds• Mental Health First Aid• Calm app • Greater Good Magazine

EAP Resources

• Reach out to your EAP vendor to see what’s available.

• Ask about information, management consultations, and resources regarding COVID-19.

• Ask about resources available through video or phone.

Resources

We’re here for you. You’re not alone in this.


Emotional well-being and your workforce in the time of COVID-19�Taking care of your employeesSlide Number 2Framework for a psychologically healthy workforceRising workforce anxietySlide Number 5Change, change, change & the impacts on your workforceSlide Number 7Supporting your employees�To prepare for work-related physical distancing, resilience is key. Here’s 3 strategies you can use:Strengthen the virtual communityWays managers can build trustMental health: build trust, provide help�For those with mental health conditions, this can be a particularly challenging time.Conversation-starters to reduce stigma and build trustCaring for yourself – it’s starts with youPromote self-care�Visit kp.org/selfcare to learn strategies for navigating life's challenges:Slide Number 15�We’re here for you. You’re not alone in this.��

emotional well-being and your workforce in the time of covid-19 … · 2020. 4. 30. · mental...

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