How Retailers Can Prioritize Their Workers’ Mental Health

This is a contributed post. However, all opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.

It’s been a tough year for retail. The coronavirus pandemic has had far-reaching effects on the entire industry over the past several months. Businesses have shut their doors for good, and thousands of workers found themselves out of a job. But one key consequence of the virus that has been largely swept to the sidelines is the impact on workers’ mental health.

You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone in the country whose mental health hasn’t been affected in some way by the pandemic. Being separated from your loved ones, losing your job, struggling to make ends meet, and facing an uncertain future can all take their toll on our mental well-being.

But retail workers have had it particularly tough. Over the last eight months, they’ve dealt with not only a lack of job security and the consequent financial struggles, but notably, the issues that arise from dealing with the general public in the middle of a global pandemic.

There is a lot of tension in the world at the moment, and there have been numerous reports of argumentative customers and fights in stores over the restrictions. And it is often retail workers who get caught up in the middle of it. 

Each business has its own health and safety guidelines at the moment – some require customers to wear masks and keep their distance from other shoppers, while others exclusively use merchant services instead of taking cash. In some cases, workers have faced aggression and conflict in response to these changes. Add to this the fact that retail staff have to interact with potentially hundreds of people in an average workday, meaning they are more at risk than most from the spread of COVID-19. 

It’s no wonder then that retail workers may be struggling with their mental health, and it is up to business owners and senior management to protect their well-being. Here are some ways retailers can prioritize their workers’ mental health in these difficult times.

The customer is not always right

Everyone in retail is familiar with the old adage that the customer is always right, but if the response to the pandemic has shown us anything, it’s that this is not always the case. Huge portions of the general public neglect to follow the rules, shunning masks, and any semblance of social distancing. As a manager, it is your duty to stand behind your staff and back them up if a conflict arises with an argumentative customer.

Protect them

There is a deadly virus in our midst, and retail workers are more likely than most to come into contact with it. By putting in rigorous health and safety procedures, you allow them to feel secure and protected in the workplace.

Talk to your staff

You will never know how your staff are really feeling about the situation unless you talk to them. Let them know they can confide in you and have somewhere to bring their concerns and worries.

Offer help

Mental health is a difficult issue to discuss, but you should give your employees options to protect their well-being. Whether that’s providing them with guidance on getting professional help or allowing for flexible working patterns and mental health days to enable them to practice self-care, show them that you have an interest in their wellbeing.