Pandemic Stress And Your Staff

There are many sources of information about understanding and managing staff stress as a result of the pandemic and lockdown restrictions. These are primarily aimed at larger organisations with large staff numbers, but what advice is there for you, as an individual employer of domestic and household staff?

Are you left on your own to handle this? Is it accepted that you as the employer and your employee(s) will have to carry on?

We thought it may help to forward some information from the UK Mental Health Foundation, for it is the stress from this pandemic which will affect the mental health of many.

So what are some of the main signs and symptoms?

Feeling of constant worry and anxiety

Feeling of being over whelmed

Difficulty concentrating

Mood swing and  changes in mood

Irritability or having a short temper

Difficulty relaxing

Depression

Low self esteem

Eating more or less than usual

Changes in sleeping habits

Using alcohol, tobacco or drugs to relax

Aches and pains, particularly muscle tension

Diarrhoea and constipation

Feelings of nausea and dizziness

Feelings of constant worry and anxiety

If staff are experiencing these symptoms for a prolonged period, and feel they are affecting their  everyday life or are making them  feel unwell, they should speak to their GP.

So how do you know if staff have such issues but are just carrying on? The answer is to  talk to them, and now, as we come out of lockdown, is a good time.

We are grateful to the Mental Health Foundation for their input.

The Graham Agency, keeping you informed.

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