Hello Dear Friends,

How are you doing?

Today in your second newsletter this week, I will be using this newsletter to share insights on HR trends and topics. Bringing you the best of what's out there on the topic of today, which is "Mental Health & Covid-19 Fatigue in the Workplace". You cannot get away from endless news cycles on Covid-19 and the most current variants. While we need to be kept informed it can be exhausting, overwhelming and stressful for you and your colleagues. As we discussed in the previous email it has changed how employee's feel about returning to work and how they want to work going forward.

So today, I'm going to be sharing with you my insights and a round-up on the best insights on "Mental Health & Covid-19 Fatigue in the Workplace" focussing on 4 key areas. See the list noted below:

1 Employees are Traumatised and Fatigued with Covid-19 :

It would come as no surprise to anyone, workers, HR Leaders and businesses alike that the general populous is getting tired and fatigued by Covid-19. Traumatised because they have come to accept a "new normal as working from home" and for some the thought of going back into the Office is causing huge anxiety, stress and mental health issues. Forbes contends that Mental Health is no longer optional in the workplace.

Here are a few key insights from their blog:

• Companies are now conducting wellbeing check-ins as standard
• Training managers on how to respond to and address mental health concerns, and create a safe space for employees
• Upgrading employee benefits to include mental health

Full Blog: HERE

2 Mental Health Training will increase & will be in demand for Leaders & Managers

There is no question that the pandemic has brought mental health squarely front and centre in the workplace and it's an issue that can no longer be brushed aside. Mangers and Leaders will need mental health training as we continue to navigate the global health pandemic.

Here are a few insights from Arizent:

• Employers have been given an opportunity to enhance the way they support their employees’ mental health from a holistic perspective.
• 93% of employees surveyed by Unmind say training is important for workplace leaders.
• Sixty-two percent of employers say they are planning to offer managers mental health training 

Full Blog: HERE

3 Teetering on the edge of burnout

There is no doubt that Covid-19 and the global health pandemic have added more stress and uncertainty to our daily lives. This has had consequences for the workplace, if we look at the fact that parents around the world have had to become teachers, and those with caring responsibilities may have found additional stresses in caring for elderly or disabled relatives of all ages. Even those who are single will have also experienced a disruption to their lives, so this not just about a certain kind of group, it's about all your employees and colleagues.

A consequence of the Covid-19 experience has been burnout in some cases.

Here are a few insights from Unum:

• Among those who typically feel tense or stressed out during the workday, 71% intend to seek employment outside their company in the next year.
• Well over half (7 out of 10) said they felt it was their employer’s responsibility to provide those resources.
• The ROI on behavioral health support for employees has the potential to be significant: employees who are less stressed are less likely to leave an organization and are often more productive. 

Full Unum Blog: HERE

4 The role of Career & Personal Values in the workplace

As a career coach I often speak to personal clients about their personal and career values as anchors which guide them with which direction to take their career and to apply to the organisations that share the same or similar values. This is now a more important consideration than ever, which now more commonly includes mental health and well-being at work. It's one of the reason's that "The Great Resignation" has become apparent, because employees and the talent you want to attract or retain have become much more aware to the fact that values do matter and a conflict in values can lead to a decline in their mental health.

Here are a couple of insights from Westfield Health:

• Many people have stated that job security (53%), better pay (53%), and wellbeing support (47%) are now more important to them than they were pre-pandemic.
• We all have our own values and goals and if our workplace does not help us meet them, it negatively impacts our happiness, sense of achievement and mental health, all of which can lead to employees leaving or feeling burnt out.
• The role of values, whether personal or professional, will be impacting the decisions employees will make. This is important for companies to be aware of as it will influence employee retention.

Full Article: HERE

If you would like to discuss any of the issues highlighted in this email, please hit reply to this email with the words "Covid-19 Fatigue".

Until next time, I hope these insights help your organisation to retain employees and support them to get the best out of your polices and mental health support.

Warm Regards,

Ekua 💛