SEPTEMBER 2021HR TECH OUTLOOK8In MyOpinionLarry Brand, Chief Human Resources Officer, Elkay ManufacturingByCARING FOR OUR PEOPLE'S EMOTIONAL, MENTAL AND FINANCIAL WELLBEING2020 proved to be an incredibly stressful year for all of us ­ and 2021 is starting in much the same vein. For starters, there is the deadly pandemic sweeping across the nation with thousands of lives lost and the personal health concerns our employees now live with every day, with business shutdowns impacting family livelihoods. We've also experienced civil unrest on a massive scale ­ the tip of the iceberg for so much that needs repair in American society. With faith in many institutions at an all-time low, business leaders are in a unique position to model the voice of reason. We have an opportunity to refocus our people on civility and compassion, double down on equity and fairness in our community and our workplaces, and be a force for moving our collective culture back from the edge of brinksmanship.HR Leaders can fulfill a critical role in helping our teams navigate the waves of change taking place in our nation. With the right tools, we can help them survive and thrive, despite the challenges that continue to unfold. As an HR leader, several themes emerge in thinking about what we can do to help our workforce through the challenges they are currently experiencing.Providing support for the pandemic-related rise in depressionA recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control report indicates that depression and anxiety are on the rise. The emotional toll of the COVID-19 pandemic is worse than experts projected, with the percentage of respondents reporting depression symptoms three times higher than before the pandemic. Ironically, the very actions that help keep us safe­ isolation, quarantine, and staying away from loved ones ­ also represent some of the best tools for helping people cope with stress and mental health issues.While demonstrating thought leadership is one way to drive positive change and return our nation to more peaceful and prosperous times, practical steps to support our people are also important. Most of our companies cover mental health care through our health plans, and our Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) support employees emotionally through short-term stress. With the vital role these programs now play, this is an excellent time to review these offerings and confirm that they are adequate to meet our employees' current circumstances. For example, does your EAP offer virtual therapy sessions or web-based financial consulting services that your people can easily access despite social-distancing conditions?Larry Brand
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