If you’ve worked with me, you’ve probably heard me say, “The whole person comes to work.” Employees do not leave the rest of their lives at the door. Concerns about relationships, mental or physical health, finances, and other personal matters can affect their focus and well-being at work. Employers want to support their employees, but they must also respect appropriate boundaries and comply with laws such as the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). How can employers provide meaningful support while remaining compliant?
Employers can honor the whole person while maintaining appropriate legal and professional boundaries in several practical ways:
- Having an Employee Assistance Program (known as EAP). These programs are normally included or inexpensive add ons to your ancillary benefits and are quite helpful for employees navigating life obstacles.
- Have clear policies on how to request leave. Whether it is a request for an accommodation under the ADA, unpaid personal leave of absence, or Family Medical Leave; have it clearly documented how to request what the employee needs.
- Have a financial planner come in to educate employees. Offer Budgeting 101 or Financial 101 to help employees get their finances in order.
- Hire an outsourced Human Resources professional (see what I did there) to be a confidential resource to them. Someone who can point them to external resources for whatever they’re facing.
- Having Leaders who promote well-being by encouraging reasonable workloads, flexible work arrangements, regular breaks, and open communication.
- Providing access to wellness resources and creating a culture where employees feel comfortable discussing challenges can also make a meaningful difference.
Companies that recognize the whole person comes to work—and support employees’ mental, physical, and emotional well-being—are better positioned to build a productive, committed workforce aligned with the company’s mission.
Do you need help supporting your employees? Milestones HR LLC can help! We offer comprehensive fractional HR services.
Reach out to us at Milestones HR, LLC at 608-370-4642 or angie@milestoneshr.com for a free, no-obligation 30-minute exploration conversation. Visit www.milestoneshr.com to learn more about our fractional human resources services.
Angie Addison, SHRM-CP, PHR
Milestones HR, LLC | Owner & Founder
www.milestoneshr.com