I attended an HR Hacking Global Online Conference in early March 2021. During the virtual conference, I learned the many different perspectives about HR, especially during the pandemic.
I want to share how to improve engagement between managers and employees in the office, and one crucial element was self-care. Managers usually take care of themselves; they should also care about their employees. Employers should prioritize their employees and show empathy when needed. When employees feel stressed, employers could provide resources, such as counseling or medication.
Comprehension and compassion are fundamental during this pandemic. We all have suffered from limited interaction being reduced to the confines of our home. We need to put ourselves into other people’s shoes and evaluate the situations from their perspectives rather than only our own. Everyone’s position is different, and we should be more mindful and considerate towards others.
Another thing about engagement is to have virtual events. Creating a doodle calendar allows everyone to sign up and be prepared in advance. We use the doodle calendar at Braathe Enterprises to sign up for a brief weekly Zoom meeting, sometimes even a week in advance. The host will be notified of how many people will join the discussion, along with their names.
Some remote team bonding exercises are also practical such as virtual book clubs, happy hour, virtual holiday celebrations, wine tastings, meditation, or listening to podcasts. These are all great and easy ways to connect with people and our clients.