The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and other global events have recently, and continue to, have a significant impact on the lives of many Australians. From unexpectedly shifting to working from home arrangements, uncertainties about business operations and job stability, the health and safety of family members and friends and more, it is understandable that many people are currently experiencing feelings of fear, anger, confusion, sadness, numbness and/or frustration.
These emotions could start to affect their behaviour (both at home and work) and may lead to changes in energy, desires and interests; difficulty concentrating and making decisions; physical reactions such as headaches and body pains; the worsening of mental health conditions; increased use of alcohol and other substances and/or any other reactions.
Conflict may occur within the organisation or with customers/clients over ideas, decisions or actions and the effects of workplace conflict can range from work disruption, decreased productivity, absenteeism, avoiding interactions with others and presenteeism.
Thankfully, there are many actions that businesses of all sizes and types can take to support their employees during these challenging and uncertain times. For example, they could provide more flexible work arrangements to their employees depending on their particular needs, build a culture of connection through checking in with each other, involve employees in more decision making, establish Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) which provide free, professional and confidential counselling services to employees and their immediate family members or advise personnel of what other external support organisations may be able to assist them. Some examples include Headspace (phone: 1800 650 890 or visit headspace.org.au), Beyond Blue (phone: 1300 224 636 or visit beyondblue.org.au) and Lifeline (phone: 13 11 14 or visit wa.lifeline.org.au).
Businesses can also invest in their management and employees undertaking communication courses such as how to have difficult conversations, conflict resolution courses and building resilience courses.
In the Building Resilience course offered by JEM Training, attendees will learn how to become more solutions focused and optimistic, gain a positive and empowering attitude, learn how to deal with challenges head-on, fulfil their potential and use their strengths to deliver results.
In the How to Have Difficult Conversations course, attendees will learn how to plan a difficult conversation, how to start the conversation effectively, appreciate the other party’s perspective and feel more confident about having difficult conversations.
After completing the Conflict Resolution course, they will be able to recognise warning signs of potential conflict, know what not to do in conflict situations, how to choose an appropriate conflict resolution strategy and a resolution that works long-term.
Attending courses such as these will help attendees attain better business outcomes and strengthen their working relationships.
For further information on these and other courses offered by JEM Training and how they could assist your business and employees gain valuable skills, please contact us, we’re always happy to help!
