{"id":2313,"date":"2021-10-19T04:32:33","date_gmt":"2021-10-19T04:32:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.sap.com\/sea\/?p=2313"},"modified":"2021-10-19T06:30:39","modified_gmt":"2021-10-19T06:30:39","slug":"why-protecting-the-mental-health-of-your-people-has-never-been-more-important","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.sap.com\/sea\/2021\/10\/why-protecting-the-mental-health-of-your-people-has-never-been-more-important\/","title":{"rendered":"Why protecting the mental health of your people has never been more important"},"content":{"rendered":"
The pandemic has rapidly redefined the role of the physical workplace. The temporary shift to remote work has become \u2018business as usual\u2019 and now as organisations in the APAC region begin their COVID-recovery, returning to the office is far from normal.<\/p>\n
In today\u2019s pandemic-led work environment, the onus is on employers to create a psychologically and physically safe environment where employee well-being is a top priority.\u00a0Organisations navigating this \u2018new normal\u2019 are at the same time grappling with an evolved set of expectations from their workforce. Across many industries the readiness or need to return to an office is varied. Data consistently shows more than 33% of employees don\u2019t want to return to the office, another third do want to return, and the remaining third want a hybrid mix where they spend some time in the office and some at home.<\/p>\n
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The pandemic has made many workers rethink their careers and examine a different approach to work\/life integration. Behind the mask of productivity is an exhausted, burnt out workforce still dealing with the social and emotional upheaval of the last 18 months. This environment is driving a wave of resignations in the US, and it\u2019s likely the \u2018Great Resignation\u2019 trend will impact Australia and the Pacific region too.<\/p>\n
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To retain and attract talent, organisations must change the way they approach mental health – looking beyond ad-hoc wellbeing initiatives to provide real practical tools and support. Adding another level of complexity for HR is implementing the many legal and compliance processes to protect employees\u2019 health and wellbeing. This can range from communicating a vaccine strategy to the implementation of updated safe workplace policies.\u00a0For large organisations, establishing a system to manage vaccination status is crucial for employees to feel safe returning to the physical workplace. Prior to implementing any kind of management solution, it\u2019s important to establish the right approaches and build around them. Ensuring employees are informed about new vaccination verification policies and potential solutions will help to establish buy-in and reduce friction. Employees will feel more empowered to be involved and provide feedback if they feel like they have agency over the process.<\/p>\n
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Research by\u00a0McKinsey<\/a>\u00a0shows that organisations with clearer communication (including post COVID-19 working arrangements) are seeing increases in employee well-being and productivity. Workers who feel included in more detailed, relevant communication are nearly five times more likely to report increased productivity.\u00a0While today\u2019s complex HR and health hurdles are incredibly difficult to navigate, they can be successfully managed with technology.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n