Workplace wellbeing during Covid-19

This is a time of increased pressure and stress for all New Zealanders. We have all played a role in reducing the spread of COVID-19, and that means we have been asked to make major changes in our lives. This continues to affect how we work, how we relate, and what we can or can’t do.

We need to prioritise mental wellbeing so we can manage our lives over the next few weeks, make good decisions, manage additional stress and distress and prepare ourselves for what’s to come. This guide is designed to help you to promote a supportive environment for your employees throughout this trying time.

As a starting point, it’s good to think about the common causes of stress among employees:

• Catching or spreading COVID-19
• Concerns about how long the pandemic will last
• Worries about finances, job security and feeding the whānau/family
• Loss of extended supports
• Fears around whether they can cope during this time

It’s good to assess the impact of COVID-19 on our mental health. From there, the aim is to reduce risk factors and increase protective factors.

For guidance and tips around how to do this, the Mental Health Foundation have put together a workplace wellbeing resource that takes you through how you can talk about work and COVID-19 with staff; effectively communicate; reduce and minimise stress; and how to care for yourself and your employees who may or may not be distressed.

They’ve also put together these wellbeing tips for those who are working tirelessly to keep our healthcare system ticking over. To all the frontline healthcare workers out there - thank you for your manaakitanga, kindness, and bravery during this time.