Changing aspirations of women employees

The Covid-19 crisis affected not only physical health but also mental health and well-being, especially among women. Many long-standing challenges women faced at the workplace were exacerbated by the global health crisis, as they strived to balance professional responsibilities alongside new domestic demands.

It quickly became clear that there weren’t adequate safety nets in place. Additional support in the areas of healthcare, childcare, and in the workplace became essential, not only to allow career success but also for mental wellbeing. Companies have realised that they must reassess their policies and priorities to retain and attract women employees.

Prioritizing mental health

The demands of remote working and home front on women employees during this pandemic have negatively affected their health, work, and economic wellbeing. Over 65 percent of working women believe the pandemic has made things worse for them, according to CNBC and Survey Monkey’s new Women at Work survey. The level of burnout — especially among women — has also affected their productivity.

To ensure the mental well-being of their employees, companies must adopt a systemic approach rather than take reactive measures. For example, at HGS, we’ve an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that provides counseling and lifestyle management advice for our employees and their immediate family members. EAP has significantly helped our people in improving their mental well-being.

It would help to pay close attention to factors that trigger negative emotions. Organisations can improve mental well-being in the following ways …