The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about people’s health and well-being to the top of the business agenda.
Employers play a vital role in protecting employees from the risk of infection by implementing stringent public health measures. What is also as vital, is supporting the physical, mental and emotional health of the workforce and implementing health and wellbeing measures for their employees.

The implications of the virus outbreak for everyone’s health and well-being during and after the pandemic are significant, including and especially their mental health. As well as worries about becoming ill, many employees have been isolated, others have faced financial worries, while working parents have to juggle caring responsibilities and work.
Employers should ensure they have a holistic wellbeing framework in place to support people’s physical health, and mental health, and offer sources of help such as mental and emotional support and a robust and consistent employee wellbeing programme.

They need to ensure line managers in particular have the ongoing guidance needed to support their teams, so they can have sensitive conversations with individuals and sign-post to help where needed. All employees should be encouraged to have a good self-care routine including a healthy approach to diet, relaxation and sleep.