The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many companies to adopt remote working in order to observe physical distancing rules. Many businesses have noticed that productivity has increased. They’ve also reduced fixed and variable costs by closing their offices.
Likewise, employees have saved on transportation and food costs by working from home. Initially, employees enjoyed the novelty of working remotely. However, studies show that social distancing has taken a toll on everyone’s mental health.
Many workers are missing the experience of meeting friends and co-workers at the office. What’s more, employees are feeling stressed. Here, as the leader of the company, you can play a significant role in lifting morale and inspiring your employees with the following steps:
1. Talk it Out
Hold regular meetings with your employees where they can express questions and concerns. Try to address these issues without judging them. Remember, the COVID-19 pandemic is challenging for everyone in different ways.
2. Create New Goals
The COVID-19 pandemic may have affected your company’s products and services. Perhaps your employees are feeling less valuable while working remotely. Create small manageable weekly goals for your team. A sense of achievement can boost company morale significantly.
3. Empower Your Staff
Let a new member of your core team lead the team meetings every week. Each member of your staff may bring fresh perspectives and agendas to the table that may help your business. In addition, your employees will feel more empowered.
You can go a step further and designate more responsibility and decision-making power to trusted members of your team. Sharing responsibility may also be good for your mental health. Running a business in times of economic discord can be challenging!
4. Send Company Gifts
Small gifts from the company can significantly improve employee morale. You don’t have to break the bank to send items. Consider making face masks with your own design on websites that sell face masks, t-shirts, polo shirts, caps, bags, etc., that are fun and improve your company’s branding.
No one enjoys wearing facemasks even though they’re an important tool in the fight against COVID-19. Customized face masks with amusing logos or designs can make them more fun. Here are some other features of a good custom mask:
Anti droplet
Machine washable
Sweat absorbent
2 ply or 3 ply
Soft
Comfortable
Breathable
Adjustable nose
Moisture wicking
Tearaway label
Elastic straps
Multiple colour options
Reasonably priced in bulk quantities
5. Try Team Building Games
Just because there’s a pandemic doesn’t mean you can’t have company parties online. Take advantage of video conferencing tools like Zoom to organize events occasionally. For example, you can have a dinner party and send your employees gift cards from companies like Uber Eats beforehand.
Alternatively, you can have game nights with small prizes such as shopping certificates. Instead of digital games, try old-school games like trivia games or charades. Such events can undoubtedly improve the mood and help your team bond until things return to normal.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced companies into uncharted territory. As a leader, you can play a significant role and help them navigate turbulent waters.
EDMONTON – RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker.
Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation.
Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6.
Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck.
Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest.
RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed and dangerous.
Chief Supt. Roberta McKale, told a news conference in Edmonton that officers had received tips and information over the last few weeks.
“I don’t know of many members that when were stopped, fuelling up our vehicles, we weren’t keeping an eye out, looking for him,” she said.
But officers had been investigating other cases when they found Strawberry.
“Our investigators were in O’Chiese First Nation at a residence on another matter and the major crimes unit was there working another file and ended up locating him hiding in the residence,” McKale said.
While an investigation is still underway, RCMP say they’re confident both suspects in the case are in police custody.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
RICHMOND, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 26-year-old son of a man found dead on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with his murder.
Police say 58-year-old Henry Doyle was found badly injured on a forest service road in Egmont last September and died of his injuries.
The homicide team took over when the BC Coroners Service said the man’s death was suspicious.
It says in a statement that the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the man’s son, Jackson Doyle.
Police say the accused will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.
The homicide team says investigators remained committed to solving the case with the help of the community of Egmont, the RCMP on the Sunshine Coast and in Richmond, and the Vancouver Police Department.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.
Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. Friday and made “some progress.”
However, he says the union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.
McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”
About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.
McCann asks HandyDART users to be “patient,” since they are trying to get not only a fair contract for workers but also a better service for customers.
He says it’s unclear when the talks will resume, but he hopes next week at the latest.
The employer, Transdev, didn’t reply to an interview request before publication.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
