Proactive HR: How to Support Employee Well-being Through Economic Uncertainty and the Holidays

By Sam Wise, SHRM-CP, AWI-CH (they/he)
HR Project Leader, Clarity HR Solutions LLC 

HR is most effective when we look ahead at upcoming changes and support strategic preparations and responsive actions for our employers. Perhaps the most influential variable for any company’s success is its workforce. This week, we encourage HR professionals to consider the next three months’ impact on employee engagement and well-being. 

You may have seen the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s (OTDA) recently that the ongoing government shutdown may prevent the distribution of SNAP benefits for November. For the Capital Region and surrounding counties, that would impact more than 130,000 households. Unfortunately, OTDA cannot provide much else for information, so all recipients can do is wait.

At the same time, more than 60,000 individuals in the Capital Region are waiting to learn the cost of health insurance for next year. You will likely have employees impacted by both of these situations. 

Looking to the experiences of employees not directly affected by these benefits, the cost of living continues to be a major talking point. Many companies have started or are preparing for open enrollment, meaning employees are waiting to learn what their employer-sponsored plan will cost next year. 

We are also entering the holiday season, which means classroom parties, holiday events, traveling, buying gifts - it is a time when budgets are stretched to the limit, even during the best economic circumstances. 

With all of that in mind, we are presented with an opportunity to demonstrate understanding, compassion, and respect for our employees. The list below includes actionable items that won’t require much effort to make a meaningful impact to your employees. 

1. Provide grab & go snacks for your teams.

It’s uncomfortable to think about, but the reality is there are employees at work right now who don’t know when they’ll eat next. You may have employees who are making sure their families are fed before they eat, even if that means not getting enough.

Providing grab & go snacks is an easy way to support employees without drawing unnecessary attention or requiring them to disclose personal information.

We’d encourage you to go a step further by adding nutrient-dense foods along with traditional snack foods.

Here’s some items that should be easily available in bulk and can handle extended storage:

●      Chips, cookies, pretzels, crackers

●      Soft drinks, electrolyte beverages, sparkling water, tea, coffee, energy drinks

●      Granola bars, individual cereal packs, dried fruits

●      Individual peanut butter cups, microwavable soup or noodles, mac & cheese cups

If you’ve got refrigerator access, you can add cheese, yogurt, guacamole, hummus, et cetera.

Let employees know the snacks are for anyone, but keep an ear out for unnecessary comments. If there is a legitimate concern someone is abusing their snack privileges, that should be respectfully and discretely addressed.

2. Celebrate employee appreciation with breakfast or lunch.

If you’re able, designate an impromptu employee appreciation day. You don’t have to go all out - order some pizzas or pick up a bagel spread. Those small gestures are meaningful when employees know they actually come from a place of care.

3. Reconsider your holiday festivities.

While potlucks and (seemingly) low-cost gift exchanges can have an uplifting impact for many employees, it’s important to recognize that’s not a universal experience. The same is true for toy drives, adopting a child/family for holiday gifts, and other initiatives.

We encourage you to communicate with intention, being sure to emphasize no one is required to give time or money. You might also include alternate forms of engagement, such as providing holiday cards for people in nursing homes or hospitals. Alternative, no-cost activities give all of your employees an opportunity to participate in community events.

Lastly, we’d ask you to remember our area non-profit organizations, many of whom are facing the financial impacts of their second government shutdown this year. 

If your organization is able, consider how you might sponsor some of the above action items for a non-profit organization. If not, that’s okay! You can organize a food or clothing donation drive to help restock community pantries and closets. Can’t do that? That’s okay too! Anything you can do matters and has an impact.

Ultimately, remember that high tides raise all ships. We may not always agree, but we are always stronger when we work together.