The events of the past several months have presented a wide range of challenges to the International NGO (INGO) community as COVID-19 has spread rapidly around the world. The operational realities of COVID-19 are causing organizations to create and adapt processes and procedures, reassess organizational customs and norms and establish new ways of working. Organizations are dedicating significant energy to projecting forward and making operational changes to uphold their duty of care and provide staff with a work environment that considers this new reality.
Recognizing this effort, the INGO community came together to produce Recovery & Wellness, COVID-19 which convenes subject matter experts and practitioners from the fields of Human Resources, Insurances and Benefits, Staff Wellbeing, Security and Risk Management and Non-profit Law and Compliance. Each module seeks to provide guidance, suggestions for internal communications and an action list organized by Highly Recommended, Recommended and Beneficial actions. These are general recommendations which may not apply uniformly to all organizations and were specifically designed for small to midsized organizations.
C11. Resilience for all staff
In times of crises employers have a duty of care to help prepare and support staff – national and international — to face known challenges and risks that will affect their physical and psychological wellbeing. The COVID-19 pandemic is generating an increased need for, and interest in, staff wellness resources and INGOs have a responsibility to thoughtfully address these issues. In addition to legal and moral obligations INGOs bear to protect the wellbeing of their staff, there are acute risks associated with not supporting the health and safety of individuals during this time. Organizations have a responsibility to take reasonable steps to mitigate foreseeable risks to their organizations and their personnel.