Senior living professionals have one of the most difficult professions right now; health care workers have been pushed to the frontlines to meet recent rising health demands and COVID protocols. In the senior living sector specifically, workers are met with the additional pressures of protecting their residents. With the safety of their residents in the hands of the employees, it’s almost inevitable for morale to tank.
The last thing you want is to lose talent, especially during times like these. Here are some ways to keep morale up.
Keep everyone updated on regulations/procedures
One of the worst parts of the pandemic is the unpredictability. New information comes out every day on how the virus is spread and how to prevent it, but we still don’t have all the facts. That means it’s important to actively communicate with everyone; not only so staff members are maintaining regulations, but also to alleviate some of the anxieties that come with not knowing. On a regular basis, staff members should be informed of any protocol or expectation changes. This will also give you an opportunity to listen to any of your staff member’s concerns and shut down potential uncredited information. Clarity eliminates frustration.
Make the little things count
What are the issues that are contributing to your staff’s stress? What can you immediately tackle? Buying lunch or offering flexible scheduling can easily boost a staff member’s morale. Acknowledge when a staff member goes exceeds expectations and celebrate exemplary work when it’s done. Even if it’s a small victory, it counts.
Find stability during chaos
The world is chaotic, and your work may be an inevitable reflection of that. If the environment is constantly changing, it’s going to make things worse. Team members need to be given the opportunity to ask questions about the future. Once you cultivate an environment that allows for open communication – maintain a regular meeting schedule. For some companies, that means holding weekly meetings with updates from the executive director; for others, that means sending daily emails with a short update.
Cut back on nonessential tasks
Eliminate additional tasks that aren’t necessary. Prioritize the most important things that need to get done and get rid of the rest. Even if it’s just a couple tasks – sometimes cutting back on the most mediocre things can make all the difference. If there are specific tasks that individual employees prefer doing, take that into account.
While this is a difficult time for many, there are many things you can do as senior living community leaders to boost morale. Ultimately, the best way to figure out what will be effective for your facility is to ask the employees themselves.