Helping employees affected by Putin’s invasion of Ukraine
A RECRUITMENT expert has offered advice for employers to support employees affected by the invasion of Ukraine.
Diana Blažaitienė, recruitment and personnel rent solutions officer for Soprana Personnel International said there are rising levels of stress and anxiety in the workplace due to the war.
Ms Blažaitienė has suggested four steps which employers can take to help their employees deal with the mental health affects of the crisis.
She said that: “Even though my company is based in Lithuania, I know that the people in Ukrainian, Polish and Baltic communities in Reading and Wokingham will be affected.”
“The Russian invasion of Ukraine is affecting the mental health of people all over the world, and they bring this to the workplace.”
Her motivation for sharing her tips comes from direct experience of helping Ukrainians currently living and working in Lithuania.
“Employers should be aware that, for some of their team members, anxiety, stress and depressive moods rise due to constant media updates about the war, not to mention the mental state of those whose family, relatives, or friends are in the war zone or geographically close,” she explained.
“And people are more sensitive as they have not yet recovered from the pandemic.”
Ms Blažaitienė said employees should be supported emotionally, taught to recognize the signs of stress in colleagues and to be reminded of resources available to them.
“The first step is for managers to acknowledge that employees will be experiencing various emotions about the situation and not just those who are from Ukraine,” she said.
“Employers should also encourage their staff not to constantly check for social media and news updates, as doomscrolling adds to stress and anxiety levels.
“Instead, businesses should motivate people to focus on what they can do, for example donate to appeals, join a support initiative, becoming a volunteer.”
She also said that work colleagues should take notice of any changes in a person’s appearance, behaviour and mood which are not typical, especially those directly impacted by the war.
Finally, Ms Blažaitienė reminded employers to think about what resources they have available to be able to help employees struggling with their mental health.
“Maybe the company can offer free counselling sessions, or subscriptions to wellbeing magazines and mobile phone apps, or prepare a list of helpful literature, podcasts, or groups and services in their local area for employees,” she added.
One of those Ms Blažaitienė’s tips have benefited is Sofiia Zavadska. Ms Zavadska is a Ukrainian who has lived and worked in Lithuania for seven years. Ms. Blažaitienė arranged therapy for Ms. Zavadska and encouraged her to not feel guilty for looking after her own wellbeing.
“I was falling apart during the first week of the war,” she said.
“I had sleepless nights, I was skipping meals and I was panicking to try and reach my family and friends in Ukraine.
“So my team leader told me to work from home, and a colleague redirected my calls to his phone so that my work load could decrease.
“I was so grateful for that.”