Employee communications

“There's just not a lot of discussions happening and I think sometimes employees are left blind,” says Amanda Baethke, director of corporate development at Aeroflow Healthcare.

Nearly one-third of respondents said they would be uncomfortable getting back to offices, shops and factories, while half said their greatest concern was contracting the disease at work.

“No one should have to choose between voting and earning a paycheck,” says Dan Healey, head of human resources at SAP North America.

Employee mental and cognitive health has deteriorated since the start of COVID-19, but managers can intervene by taking some important steps.

Bosses should do more to make the work-from-home experiment palatable and safe for all involved by subsidizing utility bills and workspace equipment, and changing managerial habits, with more trust given to employees.

This year’s open enrollment will require new strategies and better tools for employees to make the most informed decisions regarding their benefits.

Employees who may have thrived in a social office setting are suddenly finding the alone time unsettling, while others may wish they were alone as they share workspace with a partner and/or their children.

Mobile-first communication can help employers better communicate with their non-desk workforce.

It is up to employers, in conjunction with employees, to make the call on returning to the office, and there is no point in forcing it if remote working hasn’t hurt productivity and profitability.

During COVID-19, it's more important than ever to build a communication strategy for available benefit offerings.