Communication and Support

For team members

Be visible and available – regular contact and communication with team members is vital for those in work as well as those unable to be at work during this time.

Listen – it’s important to be able to listen carefully and fully understand and respond to workers and let them speak without being interrupted by phones, email or others.

Give time and space – making sure there is time to adjust to the new circumstances and time for readjusting when ‘normality’ resumes.

Encourage individuals to recognise and use their coping strategies – ask them what coping strategies they use when they are feeling stressed. Be mindful of your limitations and when and how to signpost staff to specific services such as counselling or employee support services.

Promote connectedness – Share with your team that this is a ‘group human experience and not one we are going through alone’ – this is important for promoting social connectedness and for lessening feelings of distress, anxiousness and isolation. You could consider having a team ‘check in’ for ten minutes each morning, in order to keep in touch and for everyone to share what they have planned for the day.