Natural or man-made disasters can cause continued disruption long after the event has passed. In the aftermath of such an event, your employees may be feeling the emotional and physical effects of loss and the stress that results from an ongoing recovery effort. During this time, it is important to remember that employees may have pressing concerns that affect their everyday work routine and can impede them from functioning at their standard level.

While resuming operations can be difficult for your business, it is important to consider you employees’ individual situations to ensure they are able to successfully manage the rebuilding of both their home and work lives. If your employees are taken care of first, they are better able to safely and adequately assist your customers.

Modify Office Policies

Depending on the scope of the disaster, your employees may have suffered severe losses. Relaxing dress codes and office phone use policies, along with allowing flexible work schedules can make it easier for employees to handle personal affairs.

Expand Telecommuting

If transportation is disrupted and work can be done from home, consider allowing employees to telecommute to make the workday easier on employees during stressful times. Depending on the extent of damages to local roadways or your business’ physical location, it can also prevent unnecessary exposure to safety hazards.

Account for New Hazards

Post-disaster environments are often less safe and sanitary than normal. Throughout the recovery process, special care should be taken to make employees aware of hazards caused by the disaster that are not normally present. If employees have to work in an area that presents a potential hazard, make sure you provide them with the proper safety equipment.

Prevent Overwork & Exhaustion

It is also important to consider the strenuous nature of recovery efforts. Employees may be stressed from an increased effort at work, only to then go home and have to address their own personal disaster recovery issues. Exhaustion and lack of sleep can decrease alertness and impair judgment, putting them at an increased risk for accidents.

To prevent overwork, it is important to ensure that employees are not working too many hours and receive adequate breaks. Try to maintain an appropriate number of staff members for any responsibilities created by the disaster. Take into account that normal job functions may have to be reassigned while employees focus on recovery efforts. Set clear priorities for what needs to be accomplished now, while also postponing work that is not a necessity in the short term.

Recognizing personal situations after a disaster and providing flexibility as employees work to restore both home and work lives are key to a successful reopening. Allowing them the time to take care of their own needs and being supportive will ensure that they can focus on their jobs when they are at work.

We’re Here to Help

Disasters are a disruption that not only affects your business’ regular operations, but also the personal lives of your employees. Maintaining a strong work/life balance during these unsettling times will not only provide support to your staff, but allow them to work more effectively for your business. Connect with a member of our team for any questions or additional disaster strategies to help your business recover and maintain operations quickly.