As we near one year of working amidst the pandemic, it’s important we recognize that many employees continue to feel fatigued and emotionally stressed. We encourage our community to support one another during this time of instability and ask for help when needed. We recognize that many may be feeling overwhelmed; therefore, encourage our people leaders to adopt behaviors that foster and cultivate a sense of well-being: 

• Support participation in campus activities that promote a sense of community and well-being.
• Schedule meetings for 45 or 50 minutes, allowing for transitional breaks between tasks.
• Encourage walking meetings or meetings held outdoors.
• Invite team members to return to campus for lunches on Tech Green and/or campus walks.
• Be intentional in your meeting planning. If information can be shared over chat or phone, consider eliminating the need for another virtual meeting.
• Ensure employees set boundaries for themselves and understand expectations of when to return emails or texts. Just because our computers may be with us at home doesn’t mean we have to be working on them at all times.

In addition to encouraging our employees to take time for themselves, focus on their well-being, and maintain boundaries, it's also a great opportunity to remind everyone of the tools and support mechanisms Georgia Tech Human Resources provides for all employees. 

As the greater-Atlanta school systems continue to vacillate between in-person and online instruction, we encourage employees and people leaders to regularly visit our Working through Covid-19 site for resources and fun-family suggestions as employees manage not only their work responsibilities, but facilitate instruction for their children. In addition, many Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) provide resources and supportive communities for employees coping during the pandemic. Employees can contact our Employee Engagement department receive more information about these opportunities and connect with campus leaders in these spaces.

GTHR Employee Engagement’s department provides resources that cover the spectrum of our five dimensions of well-being: Social, Emotional, Physical, Professional, and Spiritual. Employees can choose from a myriad of topics in our monthly Be Well series or peruse the many resources offered through the University System of Georgia (USG). The USG has also partnered with Kepro to provide a comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to Georgia Tech employees and their families. Not only does the EAP provide counseling services, employees can also find an abundance of work-life resources and training opportunities for employees and people leaders. Currently, only a small portion of our employees are taking advantage of this invaluable resource, so we encourage you to promote this serviceto your employees. 

During this time of transition, we recognize workplace disputes may arise. In addition to utilizing effective communication skills, contacting our Employee Relations team, or submitting a concern via EthicsPoint, employees can request assistance from the Georgia Tech Ombuds. The Georgia Tech Ombuds Office is an impartial entity that provides consultations for all Georgia Tech faculty, staff, and students seeking workplace problem solving resources. The Ombuds follows the guiding principles of confidentiality, neutrality, informality, and independence.