BETA
This is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by clicking here

More From Forbes

Edit Story

How To Show Empathy And Support As We Reach The End Of Our Pandemic Patience

Forbes Human Resources Council

Vice President of HR at Appian, she is responsible for developing and retaining talent while enhancing the culture and talent brand.

Millions of Americans have been vaccinated, millions more are on track to get their shots in the next few months and finally, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. However, we’re not out of the woods just yet. We need to continue to socially distance, wear masks and wash our hands regularly while we work toward achieving herd immunity. And while HR departments have been stretched to their limits over the past year trying to keep workplace culture alive and well, now is not the time to let off the gas. Employees are understandably weary, and we need to help guide them to physical safety and good mental health through the final stretch of this pandemic.

Empathetic Leadership And Communication

As I've been writing throughout the pandemic, there is nothing more important than communication. As we wind down and start to cobble together a sense of normalcy, HR departments should double down on their communication strategy and emphasize its importance throughout the company.

As always, it starts at the top. At Appian, our CEO hosts a regular livestream where he highlights bright spots throughout the company. This reinforces our sense of community and keeps us focused on the impact our work has on our employees and customers.

Managers at all levels need to lead by example. The past year has been exhausting and taxing even during the best of times. That stress remains and is now exacerbated by the potential for a fourth wave, vaccine misinformation and difficulties scheduling appointments. Reports of vaccine side effects mean that people may not feel up to working immediately after getting their shot — and organizations need to be prepared for that. Perhaps companies can make a day off mandatory for people after they get the vaccine — to both recuperate and to celebrate an important milestone. Managers will need guidance on how to make that possible without sacrificing deliverables.

To ensure that this can happen, the first step is to make sure that managers over-communicate about schedules, who is out and when they return, what needs to be done by when and by whom. With retention becoming an increasing problem across industries, communication is key to allowing employees to feel empowered and able to balance personal and professional demands. An empowered workforce leads to high engagement which leads to retention.

Generally speaking, teams should also be reminded that time off is time off. Emails don’t need to be sent at 2 p.m. on a Saturday, especially when we have the ability to schedule when they're sent (hint hint). That will only add pressure and stress to the time we desperately need to unplug and recharge. While work is getting done at off-hours more than usual, leaders should do their best to hold off on sending emails until the work week starts, which includes the weekend, vacations and company holidays. Modeled behavior from the top has a better chance of success than a policy written in a handbook.

Supportive Culture

At Appian, we have leaned on our employee-led affinity groups especially now and, as Covid-19 has worn on, they have become incredibly creative in how they support each other virtually and our company culture. From their example, we thought creatively about how we can celebrate all the good news that’s been coming out while remaining socially distanced and safe. One of our successes was when we were able to pull together a company-wide global end-of-year celebration for our employees. We tapped into a common hobby — gaming — and split into virtual game sessions meant to emulate departmental small-group parties. Each session had a host to keep the energy up and friendly competition in mind. We worked to ensure that the event was accommodating to all of our offices by holding it on a Friday for just an hour and a half so that it didn't eat into the weekend. Before the celebration, everyone in the company received a care package filled with snacks and toys to help include the kids at home. Consider your team's unique interests and how you might boost morale and promote a supportive culture through company-wide events.

Spring is here, and it’s great to see so much optimism for the end of the pandemic. But it’s important to keep in mind it isn’t over yet, and we need to be mindful that many people are still dealing with the fallout. Patience is growing thin, but now is not the time to let up. HR organizations have gotten really creative about how we can translate our culture digitally over the past year. While it is hard, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and we can get there together.


Forbes Human Resources Council is an invitation-only organization for HR executives across all industries. Do I qualify?


Follow me on LinkedInCheck out my website