Tips on Helping Employees Cope with Loneliness Over the Holidays

With a second lockdown in some Ontario cities and continued social distancing restrictions, people are feeling lonelier than ever, especially with the holidays just around the corner. Whether your employees have family overseas, family based in another city or town, or are unable to visit their loved ones due to age or illness, there are ways you can show your support and help them feel less alone.

Below are a few ideas on how you can support your employees.

1. Have regular check-ins with your employees.

Not all employees will reach out for support when they need it, which is why it is important as a leader to reach out to your employees first. By taking this first step, over time your employees will become more comfortable sharing their thoughts, feelings, and experiences with you.

Some examples of questions you could ask include:

• What do you like or dislike about working from home over the last several months?

• Are you managing your workload okay?

• Do you have friends and family that you are able to connect with virtually?

• What are some of your concerns, if any, regarding the pandemic?

It doesn’t have to be every day, but perhaps you could check in with them every other week or on a monthly basis.

2. Have casual video meetings.

With many people working from home due to the pandemic, a certain level of workplace culture has been lost within companies. For example, you could schedule a casual meeting once a month on Friday afternoons where employees can talk to each other about how they are coping during the coronavirus pandemic, share anything new they have learned while spending more time at home, or discuss projects they have been working on. Making this a regular occurrence will help brighten your team’s spirits while everyone is working remotely.

3. Encourage employee-led virtual meetups and check-ins.

Having your employees reach out to one another is another great way to boost company morale.

Encourage your staff to think of each other by:

• Sending a quick email to a colleague to ask how they are doing

• Asking a colleague if they need help with anything

• Setting up a casual virtual meeting to catch up

4. Remind employees to reach out if they need help.

Make sure your employees know they can reach out if they are truly in need of support. There has been a lot of uncertainty this year due to the pandemic, and with the holidays approaching, things are not getting any easier. Let your employees know that you are there for them if they need to talk. If employees are feeling burnt out, give them some time off to recuperate and provide them with mental health resources. Some employees may not even be aware of the help and resources available within your company, so be sure to remind them that a support system is in place.

References: Human Resources Director

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