Throughout the busy holiday season, the mental health of retail and hospitality staff must be employer’s central focus.

With all of the changes that retail and hospitality organizations have endured over the past few years with the COVID-19 pandemic, many staff have been faced with harassment and verbal abuse from customers. 

This abuse causes significant psychological stress for workers. 

The Mental Health Commission of Canada has put out suggestions for this season, including benefiting from mental health resources, showing kindness and empathy, and for employers to contemplate scheduling and suppleness in the course of the season.

Speaking on AM800’s The Shift with Patty Handysides, Tiana Field-Ridley, Program Manager for Workplace Mental Health, says it is important for employers to be sure that their employees have mental health supports available, especially in the course of the holiday season. 

She says employees should feel comfortable speaking as much as their employer. 

“What we would like to be certain is coming from two angles. We wish to be certain that the staff themselves are aware of how they’re feeling, the supports that they could need and ensuring that they are communicating that. We also wish to be certain that the managers are searching for his or her employees. We wish to be certain that managers are putting the best measures in place.”

She says it is important to remind those that still have holiday shopping to complete to be kind to staff.

“What we would like to be certain is that folks realize that these are human beings too. We’ve got to treat them in the way in which that we’d wish to be treated ourselves. We will not go in there pondering that we will treat them nonetheless we would like to, or take out our own frustrations and anger on people who find themselves just attempting to do their jobs.”

She says being self-aware of your emotions is crucial during this time of 12 months. 

“Being aware that seasonal affective disorder is a thing, for those who are feeling down during this season that is something that is kind of normal. Pay attention to how you are feeling and ensuring that you just’re getting the supports that you just need. Don’t hesitate to achieve out and get the support. Also, ensuring that you just’re considering your personal colleagues around you, they too is likely to be having a difficult time.”

Field-Ridley reminds not only shoppers but staff and employees to indicate kindness and empathy during this holiday season, as you never truly know what another person is coping with of their personal lives.

More information and suggestions might be found on the Mental Health Commission of Canada website. 

With files from The Shift with Patty Handysides