Support Employee Health After a Disaster

There are some procedures you can put in place before a disaster, but you should also learn about what people need to help them recover after a disaster. It is possible that your staff will need time to ensure the well-being of their family members, but getting back to work is important to the personal recovery of people who have experienced disasters.

Encourage adequate food, rest and recreation. Provide for time at home to care for family needs, if necessary. Have an open door policy that facilitates seeking care when needed. Workplace routines facilitate recovery by providing an opportunity to be active and to restore social contact. Re-establish routines, when possible.

Sharing with others can speed personal recovery. Create opportunities for breaks where co-workers can talk openly about their fears and hopes. Offer professional counselors to help co-workers address their fears and anxieties.