Your youngest workers don’t feel engaged. In fact, according to a new study, nearly half of young adults experienced mental health decline during the last half of the pandemic; and they’re having trouble interacting and connecting with others. You can help. Here’s how:
- Prioritize mental health. This needs to start at the top with investment in mental health programs that address stress management, resilience, and mindfulness.
- Infuse mental health throughout the organization. Make sure your benefits cover therapy or stipends from mental health services. Offer activities that promote good mental health and wellness. Publish newsletters that focus on mental health, highlighting resources such as support groups.
- Make onboarding a community-building effort. Focus onboarding on allowing new workers to get to know each other, ask questions, and get comfortable with their new work environment in a safe space.
- Offer coaching for young workers. Consider a program that offers one-on-one coaching, career workshops, participation in leadership meetings, and executive development programs.
- Find ways to increase connection time. It can be hard for workers to connect when all or most of their interactions are virtual. Look for ways to increase in-person interactions when possible. Otherwise, consider promoting one-on-one interactions between workers so they can get and stay connected in a real way.
