Optometry practices are considered a front line healthcare service and are exposed to close patient contact everyday. This likely causes you, the practice owner stress, but just think about what it is doing to your staff. Here are a few ways to help your staff cope with pandemic induced stress:

1. Develop an open communication channel in the office about the current situation so they can bring forth concerns, ideas and suggestions on how the office should deal with the pandemic.

2. They want to know they are safe. While you can't guarantee they won't contract COVID-19, you can be clear about what you are doing to to keep them as safe as possible, from providing high quality PPE to instilling strict social distancing and cleaning procedures.

3. Employees are concerned about job security. Between the unprecedented number of layoffs in Canada to practice closures, staff have valid reasons to be concerned. Try to ease concerns by being open and honest about the practices future plans but also teach them it's a wake up call to be financially responsible and save for emergencies.

4. Give employees ammunition to fight off sickness by taking care of their own health. A strong immune system is key to fighting flus and viruses of all kinds. Have a lunch and learn session on immune building strategies like eating well and taking supplements. Don't forget about the flu shot.

5. Ensure employees feel "safe" to call in sick if they have any symptoms. There has been numerous stories in the news of employees going to work and spreading the virus because they were worried about calling in sick or didn't want to leave the office in a bind.

6. Create a space for employees to "get away" during the work day. Maybe it's the office staff room. Add some air cleaning plants, soft music, landscape art and soft furniture where employees can go and "take off" the mask and breathe for a minute and destress.

Last note...watch for signs that someone is stressed. Everyone is different but signs can be emotional outbursts to defiance and disorderly conduct. Some employees may even downplay their needs, trying to be strong and resilient until they totally breakdown. Take this opportunity to address the entire office and make employees feel safe. It will do wonders for staff morale, productivity and
retention.

Trudi Charest is the Co-Founder of 4ECPs, a resource company for eye care. She started Jobs4ecps in 2011 to help eye care businesses in Canada recruit more qualified candidates like Opticians, Optometrists, Optometric Assistants & Optical personnel. Trudi can be found growing her marketing agency, Marketing4ecps, a digital agency focused on the eye care industry at www.marketing4ecps.com.