Supporting the mental health of furloughed workers during the coronavirus outbreak

The coronavirus outbreak has forced many organisations to make difficult decisions with regards to their employees. For some, the best option is furloughing some of their staff. This means the government will pay 80% of their monthly salary (up to £2,500) and they can’t work for the organisation in the meantime.

While this option may work for organisations, it can have a big impact on the people who find themselves without any work to do. This PDF from the City Mental Health Alliance offers some advice on what organisations can do to help support the mental health of their furloughed workforce. It includes tips such as considering those who may need extra support (such as those who live alone), providing guidance for managers who may need to have difficult discussions, and ways of keeping in touch.