5 Ways To Calm Coronavirus Fears Among Your Employees

Last updated on October 19th, 2022

As novel Coronavirus spreads forcing businesses, schools, and almost everything to shut down, it’s apparent that your business, too, may feel its heat. And finally, it might adversely affect the mental well-being of your employees. They probably are scared and afraid of its long-term implications. So, it becomes your responsibility to calm the fears among them.

Panic is intensifying all around the world in the wake of the deadly virus outbreak. Given that many people are afraid of the long-term implications that it may have, including your employees too.

For businesses looking to prioritize their employees’ safety, we have created a list of guidelines to address and calm the fears, eclipsing the hearts of the employees.

Here Are The 5 Ways To Calm Coronavirus Fears Among Your Employees

01. Establish Frequent Communications With Your Employees

As it’s a turbulent time and everyone is panicking, you need to have a plan in the first place — how you will communicate with your team.

• Work on ways to update your employees on coronavirus related information that may affect their work schedules and your business.
• Try to focus on communicating more than you need, even if there is nothing new to update them with.

Having frequent communication with your employees will put them at ease. Your employees will perceive that you’re aware of the things going around and that you’re concerned about your employees’ mental health, which is as important as running your business.

Contrary, taking a mute stand could make them feel that you aren’t serious about them at all.

02. Take Preventive Steps To Keep Them Safe

As a business owner, it’s your sole duty to make sure your employees are safe at the workplace. You can do it by practicing good hygiene and informing them about social distancing, along with other safety measures. Moreover, you can include this in your employee onboarding checklist so that new team members know what to expect.

• Have a house-keeping team in place and get all the surface areas de-sanitized regularly.
• Fumigate the most exposed surfaces like handrails, desks, and doorknobs.
• Encourage your employees for frequent handwashes as and when they enter the premises/rooms.

Such practices will lower the risk of getting exposed to the novel coronavirus. Also, if any of your employees starts feeling unwell, let them stay at home without any questions.

03. Put Flexible Workplace Policies In Place

When it comes to professional arrangements, be as helpful as possible. Schools, colleges, and baby-sitter services are closing due to lockdown. In the current circumstances, some of your employees may need to stay home to take care of their children. Therefore,

• Try to find a way to implement Work From Home (WFH) policy.
• If that’s not possible, accommodate your employees at work.
• Consider different shift timing to avoid all the employees gather at one place at the same time.

04. Limit Unnecessary Travel/In-Person Meetings

Your employees need to know if their health and safety is your priority.

• Do not ask your employees to attend any meeting, even if it’s with a few people.
• Cancel in-person work events, seminars, or meetings.

Allow your employees to cancel their business travel no matter whether it’s their job profile.

Not doing so may cause low workplace morale.

05. Coordinate With Local Government And State Health Officials

At last, the intensity of the COVID-19 outbreak depends on your local community and state. Your state and local government’s guidance is likely to be changed frequently. Such changes could affect your business. So, you need to:

• Stay up-to-date with any information that CDC, local health care center, and government releases.
• Communicate these details with your employees regularly.
• Share with them any valuable information you’re learning and how you are responding to that.

Here Is How You Can Keep Your Commercial Set-Up Safe

Conclusion

At present, there is nothing we can do to stop coronavirus. But we can contain its spread by taking some preventive measures. As far as your employees are concerned, it’s evident that they would fear contagion due to frequent office visits. It’s the right time to show your solidarity with them and take some steps to calm them. Remember, a business without ethics is not a business. If you care for your employees, your business will succeed in no time!