Showing kindness: the key to maintaining a passionate and motivated workforce
The pandemic has certainly shown us all the incredible work that carers and those in the care industry do for us and our loved ones. Their emotional and physical sacrifice is one that is largely incomparable to workers in any other industry, but it is all too common for those same sacrifices to go unrewarded or unnoticed. These issues were amplified by the pandemic, as the last two years, while being the biggest test for the industry in generations, has resulted in a significant drop in staff retention and wellbeing. Here, the managing director of Visiting Angels, Dan Archer, discusses why taking regular opportunities to show simple acts of kindness in the care industry go a long way.
It goes without saying that showing kindness in any industry is the most effective way of increasing a community’s wellbeing and, ultimately, their motivations to remain in their role. But while this sounds incredibly obvious, the pandemic has shown us in the care sector that there are significant gaps in the way some industry-leading providers approach their day-to-day operations. So, as Vising Angels prides itself on putting the heartbeat of our brand - our carers - before anyone else, here are my top three ways in which kindness should be regularly shown and practised.
Give back
Giving back to your community and those who devote themselves to your brand’s mission is a great way of showing that, fundamentally, your business believes in its caring ethos. It doesn’t need to be a huge financial gesture, or even include money at all, but finding creative ways to help people in your network and community will show that you care about those who have helped you get to where you are as a brand. This works in tandem with opportunities to grow in the industry, through career progression, fair pay and prioritising staff welfare. As being, first and foremost, a care provider, it’s imperative that those who deliver our services feel cared for just as much as those in need of our them.
Give regular recognition and praise
The staff turnover rate of directly employed staff working in the adult social care sector was 28.5% in 2020/21. This equates to approximately 410,000 people1, many of whom left the industry due to feeling mistreated. It is for this reason that I believe the pandemic has made it easy to forget that it should be a common practice, especially in the care sector, to celebrate the wins and successes of those who contribute to the success of your business, no matter how big or small. Whether in their personal or professional lives, everyone should be shown regular recognition and praise for what they do and who they are. By regularly acknowledging the hard work and commitment from a team, it can significantly boost morale and give the team the added motivation to continue going the extra mile.
Be kind to yourself!
This is possibly the most important piece of advice that you will hear in business and something that we all need reminding of once in a while. Making sure that you‘re kind to yourself and rewarding your own success is equally as important as doing so for your team and community. For a business to be successful, it’s important to combine kindness with self-care. The age-old phrase “treat others how you’d like to be treated yourself” has never been so applicable to the care sector. Striking a healthy work-life balance, taking up a hobby, or simply treating yourself are all easily accessible ways to exercise self-care. Look after yourself and ensure your own wellbeing has put you in a position to project kindness onto others, which is subsequently being demonstrated regularly.
Taking these opportunities to give back, show recognition, and approach every day with respect demonstrates that a care provider’s mission is not an empty promise being sold to clients, but is something that defines the DNA of the brand and is truly reflected in all operations. Following a period that has reminded care providers of the importance of kindness, care and respect, it should not only be prioritised by those at high levels of a business but become a mission to strive to achieve on a daily basis.
For more information about Visiting Angels, visit https://www.visiting-angels.co.uk/