The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now encourages construction contractors to invest in the mental wellbeing of their employees, as the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on every working class American.
The CDC has updated their COVID-19 safety checklists for employees and employers. The sheets now include mental health items for both groups to think about and promote.
On the CDC webpage promoting the new checklists, the CDC recommends ways for contractors to prevent the spread of COVID-19, encourage social distancing, masking and how to manage sick workers, as well as dealing with the mental health of employees, among other tips.
One of the main causes of mental health issues cited was uncertainty and how the pandemic continues to impact work and the economy. The CDC recommends employers openly discuss the volume of work and what is expected of employees. This allows them to know what to do, and make a plan to get it done.
The employer list also reminds employers to watch for behavior changes associated with stress and anxiety, such as unhealthy eating habits, difficulty concentrating and more.
Lastly, the CDC encourages employers to develop a system to identify and provide mental health services.
Some of the main causes of stress for employees are at-home conflicts, new work schedules, uncertainty about expectations and a lack of relaxation and leisure time.
In addition to recommending a regular sleep schedule, the CDC is recommending people take breaks to stretch, check in with coworkers and exercise. They also encourage spending time outdoors, understanding the facts about COVID-19 and connecting with others, who may be in a similar situation.