Tag: mental wellbeing

As the world shifts into a post-pandemic reality, companies are having to contend with immense changes that are redefining relationships with employees. 

In a world where we face mounting financial pressure, it becomes increasingly difficult to stick to the confines of our budget and keep our spending in order. Rising interest and inflation combined with skyrocketing fuel costs have knocked the finances of South Africans, leading to a rise in debt as consumers increasingly turn to credit to make ends meet.

The concept of a four-day work week is attracting growing interest in countries around the world, including South Africa. Local employers must understand the model, decide if it will work for them, and know how to implement it effectively.

Workplaces across the globe are facing a mental health crisis of unprecedented scope, as the effects of almost two years of anxiety, uncertainty and fear will transition into another period of flux as we enter 2022, a leadership expert says.

Businesses have been through a lot in the last 18 months. As we near the end of 2021, a year that has put many to the test, it is useful to pause and reflect on lessons learned that might be applied in the new year. There are numerous advantages to reflecting on what worked and what did not.

The myriad challenges that COVID-19 has forced on our lives have been stressful, none more so than for many working professionals. Based on our 2021 Stress Index, fear of loss of income and the fear of losing a family member to COVID-19 went head-to-head as the biggest stress factors of the last year.

While the importance of mental and physical wellbeing is widely acknowledged, recent events have driven the message home hard. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the link between wellness and productivity due to Working From Home (WFH).

For once, the age-old tale that school life was 'much harder back in my day' could not be further from the truth. The class of 2020/2021 are enduring one of the most difficult global events in recent memory, and they are doing so while juggling concerns over grades, exams, and future employment.

As South Africa braces itself to reach the peak in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, Government statistics have shown that the country could reach 400,000 infections by mid-July. While lockdown conditions may have been eased to level 3 for now, South Africa, and much of the world, is nowhere near the end of the pandemic, and the economic and health repercussions of COVID-19 are going to persist for months to come.

The only certainty in life is that there will be uncertainty - having a clear plan on how to keep employees engaged and connected can help mitigate these times. Most businesses are no strangers to challenges. However, the current global crisis has created several new challenges for businesses and employees alike. Among these new difficulties that need to be dealt with are persistent pressures that erode morale over time.