As your small business grows your employees may face a lot of change: re-orgs, leadership transitions, new technologies, on-line and video-conferencing demands, and required return to workplace vs. work from home. The team can feel ‘change fatigue’ with too many changes in a row leaving them overwhelmed and even indifferent from their role and your business objectives.
So, with so much to do to grow your business, and likely more change to come, how can you help your team combat change exhaustion? You may expect them to just be resilient and find a way to cope – but there are ways to address change and give employees help.
First, recognize the change affects you as a business leader
According to the Harvard Business Review you should adopt the mantra, “I am a person who is learning _______.” Change doesn’t just leave employees with a feeling of uncertainty – as a leader you need to face the feeling that you don’t have all the answers and that can be unsettling if you like or need to be in control.
To help yourself and your team shift from being anxious to embracing growth, it is a positive step to reframe your changing situation. When you approach a change thinking “I am a person learning to ______” instead of “I can’t do this” or “I need to have this all figured out already, you (and your employees) can feel empowered by the change rather than embattled by it.
Here’s an example: instead of thinking to yourself “I don’t know enough to manage people in a remote environment. I can’t do this,” you can give yourself the chance to change by telling yourself, “I’m learning to be a great manager in a remote environment.”
If your team can hear what you are navigating, they may feel less alone and feel they can help and support each other through the path ahead. And if you are flexible with what you are planning, your team may feel less frustrated with the shifts they encounter.
Health insurance is a constant tool to help in managing change
There is no doubt that uncertainty is anxiety-inducing, and that anxiety can manifest in physical illness as well as impact mental health. Offering comprehensive health benefits is a signal to your employees that their well-being is a priority for the company. This can foster a supportive and caring work culture, which is essential for helping employees cope with change fatigue.
Actively promoting the use of health benefits and creating an environment where employees feel comfortable accessing these resources can make a significant difference in their ability to manage change.
Health insurance benefits are a powerful tool for supporting your employees through periods of change. They enable employees to access mental and physical health services they need while reducing their out-of-pocket healthcare costs that provincial healthcare doesn’t cover including
- Prescription Drug Coverage that helps ensure employees have access to necessary medication treatments without worrying about the cost.
- Preventive Dental Care coverage covers regular check-ups and preventive care so employees can take proactive steps in maintaining their oral health.
- Counseling and Mental Health therapy to provide employees with the support they need to manage stress, anxiety and burnout related to ongoing changes.
- Physical health therapy coverage includes massage, chiropractic care, acupuncture, or other alternative treatments to help manage pain and discomfort that can accompany stress.
Health Plans include solutions that go beyond traditional offerings
When you have health insurance available to your employees, make sure they know it’s easy to access all the help the plan offers. Encourage employees to familiarize themselves with the resources available and make use of them whenever they feel stressed or overwhelmed, like:
- Free subscriptions to apps and platforms
- Wellness programs that focus on overall well-being and offer health education, screenings for sleep disorders, and preventive measures such as smoking cessation, weight management, exercise, and healthy eating promotion
- Access to virtual exercise, meditation classes, mindfulness training, stress management and fitness coaches
- Financial counselling services to help employees manage their finances during transitions
- Access to licensed mental health professionals and counsellors for confidential counseling and support dealing with personal or work-related issues
- Discounts for gym memberships and fitness programs that can help employees manage stress and improve their overall health.
Is it time to make a change to your employee health benefits?
The success of an organization relies on the well-being of its people. When employees feel healthy and supported businesses become more resilient in the face of an uncertain future. Take an integrated approach that combines physical, mental, and financial well-being by implementing health benefits that meet the needs of your workforce.
As health insurance experts, at SBIS we understand the importance of supporting employees during times of change fatigue and offer access to a wide range of plans from Canada’s leading insurers. Best of all we assist you in choosing the right plan and putting it in place – making change as easy as possible. Give us a call today at 1-800-667-0429 or 416-601-0429 Monday to Friday, 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. ET.
