It is that time of the year when many look back and take stock of both successes and challenges over the last 12 months. If challenges are indeed opportunities in disguise, then 2020 was full of potential, let’s reflect on the ways we have been supporting employee wellbeing this past year.
There were a number of factors that enabled Workplace Options (WPO) to successfully navigate the challenges presented by COVID-19 in 2020. Because of previous years of investment in infrastructure, WPO was able to quickly pivot in March to a virtual workplace setting, as countries began to issue quarantine orders in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19.
In addition to meeting the increased demand for support, professionals across the organization developed and implemented new resources and services to address a variety of employee needs, including
- live and virtual mindfulness sessions
- webinars on practical topics, like coping with social isolation, balancing work with remote school and child care, and supporting elderly friends and loved ones
- articles on a variety of topics, including managing grief, caregiver stress, remote work, etc.
- resource guides related to child care, return-to-school, and summer safety
Innovative trainings and resources were also developed for clients, including
- Adapt Organizational Resilience Questionnaire—a survey that identifies the impact of COVID-19 on employees’ work and personal lives, as well as their relationships with co-workers and managers
- AIR 2.0 —a manager training that teaches leaders how to recognize symptoms of trauma, manage sensitive situations, and apply resilience principles to build collaborative teams
- Leading in a COVID World Manager Guide—a resource that offers tips for managing remote teams, helping employees adapt to change, and communicating to build trust
- articles and webinars on a variety of leadership topics, including recognizing and responding to employee needs and understanding millennials response to COVID-19
In addition to anticipating and responding to pandemic-related needs in 2020, Workplace Options also worked toward its 2020 pre-COVID goals. Those goals included developing a redesigned member website, enhancing its iConnectYou options to include asynchronous texting, developing a burnout management resource, and creating the My Family Care Network app to help employees coordinate child care and elder care.
These accomplishments would not have been possible without the contributions of Workplace Options’ 800+ team members and its global partners. We enter a new year with a greater awareness of the power of teamwork and appreciation for the unique contributions each person brings to the organization.
Workplace Options helps employees balance their work, family, and personal needs to become healthier, happier, and more productive, both personally and professionally. The company’s world-class employee support, effectiveness, and wellbeing services provide information, resources, referrals, and consultation on a variety of issues ranging from dependent care and stress management to clinical services and wellness programs. To learn more visit www.workplaceoptions.com.
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