Life is full of surprises. One minute, you are well and good as everything is fine and dandy at work and home. Then, the next, you’re shocked to the core with trouble that’s been brewing at home. Nothing quite affects our work as a family issue. When we have issues at home, we can’t help but bring that to work. Even if we try not to get affected by what’s happening around us, we’re bound to feel the impact of these problems on how we go about with our day-to-day activities.
But what if your employees are the ones facing a problem at home? You can forgive yourself when you slack off, but what about the people you pay to do their work? Aren’t you stricter on them than on yourself? Employers should also be sensitive to the things that their employees are going through. You will find the office to be a happier workplace when you care for your employees’ welfare. If you care about them, then they will care about your organization, too. It is as simple as that. It’s a win-win situation.
Give Them Time Off for Personal Issues
The law provides that employees can take a leave of absence when they are sick and for leisure when they’ve been in the company for a while. However, though it is not required, you can also give your employees a few days off from work when they face something personal such as a death of a family or issues that affect their children. You will, at one time or another, encounter employees who are going through a divorce. How are you going to help them? Let them take a leave when they need to speak with their child custody lawyer.
Approach Them
Sometimes, all it takes is one question from the boss to make the employee open up. Most employees look up to their bosses; they sometimes need advice from someone who they see has more authority than them (even if you aren’t necessarily older than them). However, be careful when giving advice to employees because they might take it as the right decision when they should be in power to decide for themselves. Listen to them and be compassionate. Give a suggestion but never impose on them so that they can go back to being productive again.
Don’t Get Too Close
Although you want to help them with their problems, you can never be too close to your employees. Being friendly in the office is warranted, but never to the point that you can comment freely on their personal issues. Feeding too much into their issues can be dangerous ground. You will create conflicts in the office if you get too close to an employee. Aside from that, some people may get jealous and give color to your relationship.
Offer Reasonable Assistance
What kind of assistance can you provide your employees when it comes to dealing with their personal problems? Aside from giving them a few days to sort things out, you can also help by recommending a lawyer if they need one. How about a family doctor? Maybe another doctor can give a second opinion if it is a medical case? Remember, however, not to go overboard with the kind of assistance you offer. Don’t let these issues affect your business. If the personal crises require something long-term, then it is essential to communicate openly about what assistance you can give.
Communicate with the Rest of the Team
Every action and movement in the office will affect the rest of the team. Remember to communicate any changes or adjustments with the other employees. Trying to help an employee with their personal problem is one thing, but it’s another to forget that the rest of the team also needs to adjust when that employee goes on leave.
Other employees—and even you—might have to do more if someone takes an extended leave. Make sure that everyone agrees to this arrangement, or you will be forced to hire a temporary worker. Some may ask you about the details that are affecting the other employee’s productivity. You need to talk it over with that employee before revealing anything to the rest of the team.
The employees need to know that the organizations they have been contributing to care about their well-being. Even when they are facing personal crises, they should feel welcome to explore options of taking a leave, applying for a loan, or asking for legal help. While it is not always ideal to mix personal and professional lives, doing so will humanize you as an employer.