Supporting employee wellness during the pandemic and beyond

Many of us have breathed a sigh of relief lately, as we've had a reprieve from a challenging Chicago winter and as COVID-19 news has taken a more positive turn at last. Rates are down in our communities, and we have friends and family who have either been vaccinated or at least have hope that they will be soon. All of this is making us feel a little lighter than we have in months - emotionally if not physically.

But, as we're often reminded by medical experts and the media, our difficult days are not over yet. We won't be returning to normal life for a while. And even when we do, a lot of people will still be dealing with loss and struggling to get back to where they were. That's why I believe it's imperative for leaders to continue supporting employee wellness - or to start making this a priority if they haven't already done so.

Over this long year, I've tried hard to take my leadership and support a new level, and I believe the efforts have paid off, both for our company and the individuals who work for me - Mekky Media has thrived, and our team has grown closer even though we're all working from home.

Here are some of the approaches that have worked best as I've led my company through COVID-19:

Communication

I frequently send encouraging all-team emails to make everyone aware of big-picture goals, recognize agency wins or individual accomplishments, and offer tips and best practices. We've also expanded our staff meetings. We meet every Monday, and we always leave time for sharing personal and professional highlights or challenges.

This time to connect is so important when we can't just say things over the cubicle or pop in an office. We also rely on communications tools like Slack to quickly share information and ideas throughout the day.

Health

My employees can always take the time they need for medical appointments, COVID testing, etc. No questions asked. And we try hard to limit after-hours emails and work, so everyone has a chance to focus on rest, exercise and whatever they need to do to recharge. I've also made apps like Calm available to help everyone reduce stress and improve sleep.

Wellness

I've established a series of wellness workshops where we gather virtually to learn about or enhance our knowledge of things that bring peace and better health, like yoga, meditation, mindfulness and healthy cooking - even wine and chocolate tastings. These opportunities require some investment, but the payoff is well worth it, in my experience.

Perks

During these tough times, it's important to reward staff with perks like flexible work hours and generous vacation policies. We actually have unlimited PTO. My team works hard, and everyone is great about covering for each other. So I've been able to promote work-life balance in this way. This has worked well for us because of the efforts we've made to build a positive, trusting culture. And it has resulted in a team that is even more invested in the success of the company.

I plan to continue these and other initiatives when we move beyond the pandemic, because there is great value in having a team that feels connected, respected and appreciated. Not only does it pay off for the business, it leads to better, more fulfilling relationships. And that's something we can all feel good about during COVID and in better times.

• Michelle Mekky is CEO and founder of Mekky Media Relations, a boutique PR agency.