Tips for Continuous Listening during COVID-19

by Niamh Madden, Community Manager at Talivest

Are you listening to your employees during COVID-19, or is your organisation doing all the talking? Now, more than ever, listening to your employees is critical. Check out my top tips for continuous listening throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

Continuous Listening During COVID-19
The world of work has changed. The global spread of COVID-19 means that many HR leaders and organisations are now faced with a new challenge – having all, or most, employees working from home.

It has never been more important to listen to your employees. Keep reading to learn how you can gather feedback from your remote workers, to make sure you are continuously listening to them during this challenging time.

1. Gather Data to Listen at Scale
As a HR leader, you no longer have the physical space of an office to gauge how engaged, productive and well your employees are. Especially at a time like this, data is crucial for you to understand how COVID-19 is impacting your employees.

2. Communications Tools are Key
As remote working has continued to rise, online communications tools have become less of a ‘nice to have’ and more of a need. Video conferencing software like Zoom has seen a record number of new users coming onboard to use their tool.

3. Wellbeing before Engagement
On top of feeling lonely, trying to unplug, coping with distractions, communications problems and low motivation, your remote employees may also be struggling with specific COVID-19 challenges.

HR leaders now need to shift their focus to shift their focus to wellbeing. Your employees want to be heard and empathised with during a crisis. Are you listening to how your employees are feeling during this time?

It is vital to send Pulse or Remote Working surveys to your workforce to show you care, collect data at scale and take meaningful actions to help.

Here are some more tips:

• Don’t avoid sending surveys – you need this data now more than ever
• Ask people about their fears, concerns and worries
• Be transparent about what you’re doing with the results
• Be realistic about what actions you can take

4. Employees Need Connectedness
Right now, your teams are disconnected. Results from our Remote Working survey shows that a lack of face-to-face contact is having a negative impact on employee wellbeing.

As a HR team, you can encourage managers to boost social connectedness by sending them a manager communications pack.This pack can include tips on hosting virtual lunches, coffee breaks or happy hours with teams.

Buddy systems work well, where leaders set up pairs to check in on each other. Daily all-hands or huddles are a great way to keep teams connected.

5. Focus on Mental and Physical Health
The mental, emotional and physical health of your employees cannot be underestimated. Some of your team members may get sick or have to care for family. Don’t minimise feelings team members may be struggling with.

Consider crowdsourcing ideas from teams – what is their top wellbeing tip? Publish the tips in your newsletter and give recognition or a prize for the tips that get published.