COVID-19

COVID-19, Quarantine, & Self-Care

A helpful guide for employees and employers on how to deal with our current crisis

Sound advice for getting through an unusual work situation

Recognize the anxiety.

Managers should check in on workers regularly and demonstrate empathy while continuing to communicate the company’s position on managing the virus.

Stay connected.

Employers

Workers

Be clear on your short-term expectations. Workers have been thrown into a strange situation. Knowing how to plan for the next couple of weeks vs. day-to-day can help employees to put a plan in place to help them maintain productivity.

Be transparent.

Let workers know it’s ok to disclose symptoms and seek care. Be clear regarding specifically what to do if they have symptoms; for example, whom they should contact first.

Allow permission to disclose.

This is a tense time for everyone. Acknowledge that. And if your organization offers mental health resources, be sure workers understand how to access them.

Remote systems will be tested like never before. Emphasize patience and give workers permission to postpone meetings if technology doesn’t cooperate. And offer technology alternatives; for example, is there an alternate communication approach that may work for now?

Recognize technology limitations.

Check to ensure that workers have the necessary equipment to be productive. For example, if the employee regularly speaks with customers via phone, ensure that they have the proper headset to provide clear sound.

Check equipment regularly.

Positivity is addictive. If you practice positive communications and trust with your tele-employees, you will realize better work performance. Remember to focus on objectives and results versus how many hours are spent working.

Be positive.

Be sure you understand the business continuity plan for the next 2-4 weeks so that you know what is expected. And communicate with your employer about what is and isn’t working.

Reach out to your manager or employer.

Get up every day as if you were preparing to physically go into work and try to stick to usual routines, both personally and professionally.

Maintain your work rhythm.

Exhaling longer than you inhale can positively impact the anxiety centers of your brain. Take time to breathe in 4 seconds, hold 4 seconds, then exhale as long you can at least once a day.

Just breathe.

Be sure to exercise and get outside. If your gym is closed and you don’t have a home exercise routine, there are several free apps you can download to your mobile device that provide exercise instructions for all levels. And try to maintain a healthy diet and limit your fast food intake. It’s easy to get into poor food habits during this temporarily unique time.

Take care of your health.

The news can be overwhelming. Limit your news intake to updates and new guidelines about the coronavirus — only what you need to stay informed.

Limit time watching the news.

The positive psychological effects of music can be powerful; it can help you cope with stress, relax your mind, energize your body, and it even helps better manage pain.

Turn on music.

Social media can be an effective way to remain connected to family and friends but be sure to avoid too many sensationalistic stories about the virus.

Use social media to stay connected with family and friends.

Social distancing does not mean you cannot leave your house. It means you shouldn’t be in groups of more than 10 for now; that does not mean you cannot take your dogs for a walk, go for a hike or simply walk around the block. Fresh air is important.

Get outside.

This is an unprecedented time in our recent history. Allow yourself to focus on today and know that we will all get through this one day at a time.

Recognize that anxiety is normal.

Use technology to maintain communication with friends, family, and colleagues. This can be done easily with resources like video chat apps.

Stay connected.

Employers

Workers

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The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many organizations to shift to fully remote work and is prompting increasingly more cities, towns, and municipalities to institute curfews and quarantines. While these are the right actions to help prevent the spread of the virus, it does raise challenges regarding productivity, mental health, and morale during this stressful time. Consider these quick best practices to understand how to cope in these unprecedented times.

Remember, we’re in this together, and the Health and Productivity Analytics and Consulting team at Prudential is here to help.