The pandemic has undoubtedly taken a toll on your team members. With so much ambiguity about everything from their jobs to their health, their stress levels may be at an all-time high. Fortunately, you can take steps to support your sales reps and make their well-being a priority.

In this issue of Promotional Consultant Today, we share guidance from Demetris W. Cheatham, JD, MBA, the global diversity and inclusion lead for Red Hat, and Allison McMurray, the senior director of Red Hat’s Global Talent Center of Excellence, on how you can help employees who may be struggling with overwhelm, exhaustion and frustration.

1. Make use of technology. Would your sales reps benefit from a webinar or training on resilience and well-being? Consider making these kinds of digital resources available. Cheatham and McMurray say it’s a way to meet people where they are and to reach many employees at one time. When you provide links to virtual resources, your employees can access them whenever they need them.

2. Promote helpful resources. Many companies have an employee assistance program (EAP) that allows employees to navigate resources privately and safely. If your organization offers an EAP, remind your sales reps about this option and how the services can help them. If your company does not have an EAP, Cheatham and McMurray recommend collecting and sharing information on mental and emotional support groups in your local community.

3. Encourage PTO usage. Another way to prioritize your employees’ well-being is to make sure they are using their vacation time. Do they let their PTO hours accrue without ever taking a break? Encourage them to sign off and recharge—even if they only relax at home. Remember that your remote team members can also benefit from some time away from work.

4. Provide flexibility. Sometimes, you can help lighten the load for your sales reps by allowing them to adjust their hours or work from home if they usually work in the office. If your organization allows it, consider giving them a pre-approved day off that does not count against their vacation or sick leave, suggests Cheatham and McMurray. Or, offer your sales reps a workday free of meetings and deadlines that allows them to catch up on work.

5. Encourage professional support. If you see that your team members are having an especially difficult time, encourage them to find a coach or a counselor who can help. Cheatham and McMurray say outside guidance is often invaluable for people who are struggling with a personal or professional issue.

If your sales reps are experiencing more stress than usual, consider how you could alleviate some of their worries. You can create a caring and empathetic culture by offering flexibility, providing helpful resources, and reminding your employees to take a break sometimes. When you prioritize your employees’ well-being, you will help create a healthy and productive team.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers

Source: Demetris W. Cheatham, JD, MBA, is the global diversity and inclusion lead for Red Hat and a lecturer at North Carolina State University. Allison McMurray is the senior director of Red Hat’s Global Talent Center of Excellence.