To have loved ones suffering from coronavirus, having to arrange the necessary medical help, constantly worrying about aged parents getting exposed to the virus, and wake up to devastating news, desperate cries for help every day certainly takes a toll on one’s mental health. Imagine having to show up at work and submit assignments on time despite it all. The pandemic has also given rise to another problem – a mental health crisis.
To help employees take care of their mental health, deal with the pandemic-triggered anxiety, and spend time with family, many Indian entrepreneurs and organisations are giving employees paid leaves. Many Twitter users highlighted this:
I know I'm working at a fabulous company. Almost teared up this morning when I read an email that displayed full support for employees' physical and mental health. We're getting extra paid leaves, & counselling sessions.
This is fantastic, and absolutely the need of the hour. 🥺 https://t.co/qjaZtHQTxk
— Shasvathi Siva (@shasvathi) April 19, 2021
A friend's organisation in Bombay declared two-weeks unconditional leave for all employees to help with their mental health.
This is a brilliant precedent to set. Please, please normalise the mental health impact of this pandemic. And expect more of all companies too
— Deepa Kumar (@dipaah) April 23, 2021
Gave 3 days off to my team this week. Will continue it as a weekly practice. https://t.co/CNbvkJ40Ug
— Angellica Aribam (@AngellicAribam) April 23, 2021
MSL also provided a 4 day leave to all employees. While providing long leaves to all at once may not be feasible for all – it’s definitely something to be considered for the mental and emotional well being of employees as work hours have stretched like never before
— Sritika Dhar ♌ (@Sritika_) April 23, 2021
A similar thing was done by a large NGO in Pune. A weeks leave minimum to just spend time with family.
— Anirudh Prasadh (@tambrahmidiot) April 23, 2021
My partner’s organization too. Kudos to @dasra https://t.co/j95nthvMko
— Hamsini Ravi (@RaviHamsini) April 24, 2021
Even our organisation did that. For students as well as staff. Really realy grateful to be a part of this team.
— Aparna Mudi (@AparnaMudi) April 23, 2021
Other people online lauded this initiative taken by employers. They called it a “necessity” of the times and urged others to do the same. A few shared their painful ordeal of having to work through it all:
This is so good to hear about….prioritising people’s mental health. We are getting reprimanded for not being available at odd hours on weekends and declared holidays…something about how WFH translates to ‘Leisure Time’
— Scrambled Brain (@bhejamasala) April 24, 2021
Wow.. Amazing… More than anything there has to be more importance given to mental health of individuals..
— GratefulSoul (@prianca1) April 23, 2021
Which organization is this? Absolutely laudable and exemplary move on their part, bless them
— Ratnabali Bhattacharjee (@reallybadhairda) April 23, 2021
And then there’s my college saying pls complete assignments when you’re healthy it’s for your oWn gOoD nO eXtEnSiOn https://t.co/MfnKtPLYSl
— ~sus (@rheaspam) April 24, 2021
Yes #mentalhealth support is crucial, those organisations that can must give a break to the employees if not to all, in rotation.#MentalHealthMatters https://t.co/uJRhhlQics
— Pooja Priyamvada (She/Her) (@SoulVersified) April 24, 2021
The positive support that we need from our employers. https://t.co/lWcwqaac8D
— Annai bro (@thumbrilecturer) April 24, 2021
Kudos to them. Of course, it's different for different people. Sometimes it is just so hard to concentrate and get any work done, especially, with the way this government is ignorant to the thousands of lives lost every single day. https://t.co/6WGOQZ4pvM
— Gomesh (@theumpires_call) April 24, 2021
Kudos to the employers who are prioritising their employees’ mental health!