How to protect the mental well-being of hotel staff during a pandemic?
The pandemic is causing mental issues. You must protect the mental well-being of hotel staff in this unprecedented time.
Over the past months, life for those who work in the shopping, leisure, and hospitality industries has changed dramatically.
Nowadays, social distancing is crucial for the safety of life, but this social distancing is becoming the reason for mental illness.
Ultimately, we can say social distancing is indirectly causing a threat to life.
Hence, hoteliers must develop strategies to cope with the negative impact of COVID-19 on their employees’ mental health.
This article deals with the mental health of hotel employees may face and how hotel employers can protect the mental well-being of their employees.
Open Communication to protect the mental well-being
When someone is under stress then a simple smile, a warm gesture, or even listening patiently to them can work wonders.
But during the pandemic, everyone is socially inactive and facing disruption of daily routine.
People are missing their normal life.
Hence, effective communication is the only way one can connect with others and share their innermost thoughts.
Hotel employees are feeling stressed about the uncertainty of their jobs, fear of coronavirus, and risk of life.
Hence, hoteliers should create a strategy to provide workers with specific information about what will happen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For instance, regular pandemic information and the status of quarantine visitors.
What significant steps they are taking to run the hotel, and the possible effect of these activities on the workloads of staff.
Moreover, two-way communication/open communication is necessary to know the wishes, complaints, and needs of employees.
And tackle them to make them feel part of the organization.
Weekly fun activities
New working patterns and juggling between work and home life cause stress.
To reduce it there are several fun activities that you can host to encourage the employees to develop a productive relationships with their colleagues and employer.
You can have virtual lunches to hang out with your team over food. It creates a relaxing environment and reduces stress.
On a working day, you can host the making of art and craft activities.
It will rejuvenate employees, and they can sense a feeling of belongingness.
Another way to protect the mental well-being of hotel employees is by hosting hybrid events like watching movies together.
On Saturday evening, you can use apps like Netflix party (now Telepparty) to watch a movie in real-time with a live chat.
Another hybrid event that can build a team during this pandemic is sharing recipes where co-workers make food and share recipes virtually.
Psychological Support
Employees need psychological support at this crucial time of the pandemic.
An organization must take care of the mental health of their employees, especially in this time of the pandemic.
Hoteliers need to build a supportive atmosphere in the workplace to reduce the possible negative effects of quarantine, fear of viruses, and uncertainty of their job.
This will help them to tackle stress and are less likely to suffer depression and anxiety problems.
If any employee is suffering from depression or anxiety problem then the organization have to take the necessary steps and provide time off from work.
They can extend their help by reducing workload, or work hours, giving counseling sessions, and educating employees about mental health.
Make sure the team knows that if they are having mental health issues.
They should come to you (or someone else on the team) and that they feel secure doing so.
Make it clear to employees what services are available to them and how they can access them.
Know your team to protect mental well-being
There are mainly two types of workers, frontline workers, and remote workers.
Frontline workers are those who need to go to the workstation during this pandemic, they are stressed to become a carrier of the virus to their close ones.
Those working from home feel isolated, which can contribute to anxiety, depression, and also suicide.
Maintaining contact and connection with all the workers is vitally important for their wellbeing.
While everyone is affected differently by mental health concerns.
You have to be cautious about some of the more common warning signs that will help you start a conversation early to ensure that the workers are looked after before the issue escalates.
The easiest way to ensure you can spot behavioral shifts that may be reflective of a mental health issue is to get to know your workers from the inside out.
Your employee will not be comfortable revealing their thoughts to you.
But try to speak to your staff, take an interest in their out-of-work lives, and talk about their future goals and plans.
Find out what they love to do and what they’re passionate about.
This will not only promote a stronger team culture but will also create respect and trust between you and your staff.
This increases the likelihood that an employee may share any issue they are facing.
While also makes you understand your team’s attitudes, behaviors, and quirks, so you will notice any changes in their behavior.
Conclusion
During COVID-19, the hotel industry is facing unprecedented changes.
In this article, I have mentioned how hotel employers can protect the mental well-being of their employees.
Have healthy and open communication, and indulge in some activities to relieve stress.
And have heart-to-heart communication beyond the professional front to know your team and psychologically support them.
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