EMPLOYEES and COVID-19

Never in the history of work has uncertainty been so intense with the unexpected and shocking wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. I hear employees essentially ask in different ways;

What is going to happen tomorrow?

Will employees be at risk in the workplace?

Will the virus spread some more and impact our jobs?

Will economic activity be impacted?

Let's discuss this career matter which sadly has become a global crisis;

Whilst the answers to the above questions may not be crystal clear, it certainly depends a lot on what employees do and fail to do at a time like this. I'd like to share my thoughts around 5 helpful actions that should potentially lead to desired answers;

1. Stay Informed:

Employees should please stay informed, it is important you stay connected to official communication from your organisation so you are appropraitely guided. There is a lot of information overload going around on several platforms, please stay guided by your official communication.

2. Travel Management:

Employees should fully declare their travel history & plans as may be required by the organisation. Employees should also adhere to travel restrictions advised by their organisations especially in our private lives, the key behaviour to this is to limit our interactions. It doesn't help when organisations restrict movements and employees keep visiting friends and attending social events outside work hours.

3. Remote Working:

Employees should as much as possible adhere to the discipline of remote working and stay productive as they work from home. Technology has enabled work and this is the way of the future so employees should engage this option productively.

4. Line Manager Support:

Line managers should support their team members as may be required at this time by keeping in touch remotely as work gets done. Coaching remains essential at a time like this. A lot is happening differently at the same, anxieties and new ways of working, line managers should support as much as possible.

5. Feeling Unwell?

Finally, employees who feel unwell should promptly report to the required authorities to receive immediate attention.

These are undoubtedly tough times which requires the commitment of all stakeholders in the workplace to pull through. The one thing all employees must not do is panic, please so not panic, this too will pass and become history.

All employees and organisations will be stronger for it only if we all play our parts.

Keep safe, keep well, keep your hands clean and keep your social distance!

All the best!