The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many businesses to switch to remote work – causing some workers greater anxiety and stress as they’re stuck at home.
Employers have a duty of care to ensure the physical and mental wellbeing of their people. Sometimes employers fall short of their responsibilities, focusing only on ergonomics and failing to consider the bigger picture, especially as it relates to mental health.
“Most work-from-home risk assessments considered ergonomics and safe workstation set up; however, employers now need to be focused on ensuring that workers have the training in place to disclose when they are at risk,” said Vivienne Toll, the national head of workplace risk at Gallagher.
Toll said early identification of mental health issues is crucial to workers' wellbeing, emphasising the importance of employee assistance programs and free resources.
“Proactive communication of policy and other resources from employers is critically important to both assist in preventing mental health stressors for workers and develop more resilience in business operations,” Toll said. “The availability of employee assistance programs or free resources should be communicated broadly by employers and also specifically where workers are identified as not coping or displaying marked changes in behaviour.”
Many businesses did not see domestic violence as a work-related risk before switching to remote work. However, Gallagher has advised employers to train their employees in disclosing when and where they are at risk via a sensitive and confidential channel.
“More progressive employers have already reviewed their policies, procedures, and training programs to close gaps and ensure that both workers and line managers understand the protections that are available to support workers impacted by domestic violence,” Toll said.
“The challenge of working from home has also increased the risk of social isolation and workplace dislocation. COVID-19 has forced us apart and taken people away from their traditional workplaces – and it's incumbent on businesses to ensure their health and safety processes reflect that.”
