Safeguarding mental health of employees during the current period of crisis generated by the novel Coronavirus should be the top priority of the leaders opines Dehradun based senior Cardiologist, Dr Punish Sadana.
He said that lockdown enforced to break the infection cycle of novel Coronavirus has resulted in accumulation of emotional distress in people. “Losing job or having reduction in income causes emotional distress in many people. It is important to understand that businesses are closing down due to circumstances which are beyond anyone’s control.
It is heartbreaking both for employers and employees,’’ he said.
Dr Sadana said that people may experience sleep problems, tiredness, loss of appetite, feeling of anxiety, anger or depression, mood swings, guilt and also suicidal tendencies. He suggested that one should take a break from reading stories related to pandemic and instead focus on taking care of one’s body. Regular exercise, meditation, healthy meals and doing things which one enjoys, help a lot in overcoming the mental stresses.
“Employers should understand that it is time for empathy. HR now has a responsibility to foster a culture of connectivity, caring and communication, in order to dispel employee angst," he said.
Dr Sadana added that the employers should ensure that employees are connected through real time communications by phone or video conferencing. They should promote a positive and inclusive culture and educate the staff of the ways to stay mentally healthy while working from home and share tools and resources with them, he said.