Ditchmen • NUCA of Florida Ditchmen - July 2020 | Page 9
critically important to people’s lives. Many
essential workers right now are proud to be
doing what they are doing, as they realize
that the country needs them. Without them,
there would be devastation and chaos, and
for many, it’s not a responsibility they take
lightly. This public health crisis may take
some time to resolve — and there’s nothing
you can do to shorten it. But there are a few
things you can do to improve your workers’
motivation in the workplace.
1. Ensure their physical safety
Your first task when employees are feeling
vulnerable is to do all you can to physically
protect them from risk. For a pandemic,
this means supplying them with protective
equipment like masks, gloves and
sanitizer and maintaining social distancing.
Depending on the layout of your store or
business, you might also consider limiting
the number of customers inside at any one
time and installing plastic shields at checkouts.
This is also the time to step up your
cleaning protocols.
Many businesses are shifting to a “take out
window” model, where the customer comes
to the door and places their order with an
employee. Employees then shop for the
customer, so as to keep people out of the
store all together. Others are offering drivethrough
service or curbside pickup.
2. Pay attention to their emotional safety
If your employees are doing front-line
customer service, this can be a really
challenging time. Some customers may lose
patience because things are not how they
like them, or how they used to be, and they
may take that out on your employees. Now
is the time to be vigilant and have managers
be physically present to deal with angry and
upset customers.
Related: Adding an Employee Assistance
Program? Here’s what you need to know
3. Keep the lines of communication open
If there’s one thing we learned from the
Wuhan experience, it’s that trying to
cover something up only makes it worse.
So be open and transparent in your
communications with employees.
Additionally, increase the frequency of
communications with your employees.
A daily bulletin via email, daily
announcements/team meetings before the
store opens, or signage/posters in the break
room are some great ways to keep the
channels of communication open.
Workers will be less stressed if they know
what’s going on.
Make sure they know they have a way
to reach you, either via email or phone,
where they can address any issues in a safe
manner.
4. Encourage work/life balance
It’s important to note that there may be
things stressing your employees out that are
outside of work, but are still related to the
pandemic.
■ For those who are parents, do they have
dependable child care?
■ Are they able to get groceries and
supplies?
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