It is becoming increasingly important to raise awareness for making your workplace safe and healthy. The theme this year at the recently celebrated World Day for Safety and Health at work was ‘Act together to build a positive safety and health culture’, this theme focuses on the importance of working together to create a safe and healthy work environment, and increasing the social dialogue towards a culture of safety and health.

Ensuring the wellbeing of employees post covid is extremely important, after experiencing an intense two years of lockdown, remote working and feeling isolated, going back to the office full time could be overwhelming. Many employers have adapted a hybrid model of working from home and in office, many give the choice to their employees. According to Stacey Machesney, Head of Health & Wellbeing at Irish Life Health, covid, for a lot of people, meant letting go of their long commute and being able to spend more time with their family. But for many others, the lack of human interaction led to digital fatigue, being unable to turn off at the end of the day, blurring the work and home life. Post pandemic it’s important to allow employees some flexibility and choice around when they will return to the office. Here are some tips to ensure all workers feel safe and healthy.

For some people covid-19 may bee seen as a thing of the past, but for many it is still something to be weary of. Making employees feel safe when they do return to office, will make them more willing and comfortable to be around co-workers. This can be done by providing sanitiser and masks, cleaning the workplace daily and ensuring there is space between workers.

For remote workers, encourage them to take breaks. Working from home can mean you are constantly switched on, without actually taking some time away from the computer to relax your mind. It is not always possible to have a separate space for working, away from where you eat or sleep. Many use their bedroom or kitchen as their home office, that’s why we suggest going outside for some fresh air on lunch break, even stepping outside for 15 minutes will reset the mind and prevent burnout.

Listening to employees and about their needs and encouraging them to seek advice is essential. A problem shared is a problem halved, and the sooner they speak up about a problem or worry they have, the easier a solution is found before it gets worse. The wellbeing of workers is very important and can be maintained by avoiding any unwanted and unnecessary stress.

References:

Preparing for work in a Post COVID World, Irish Life Health - LINK

World Day for Safety and Health at Work, United Nations - LINK

How to foster wellbeing among employees post COVID-19, European Commission - LINK