How to Support Your Staff During the Floods
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
In the past week, east coast of Australia has experienced extreme weather conditions leaving many families and local business owners in distress.
Effected Areas
22nd February 2022: Southeast Queensland, Brisbane and 17 other local government areas experienced extreme conditions.
28th February 2022: Lismore (NSW’s Northern Rivers Region) experienced major flooding causing extensive damage to residents.
Areas on Alert Currently
Residents of the Northern NSW town Ballina have been asked to move to higher ground. Evacuation order has been issued by SES.
The Bureau of Meteorology is now on flood watch for Greater Sydney, Mid North Coast, Central Coast, Illawarra, South Coast and Queanbeyan areas.
What Disaster Relief Options are in place for Individuals?
Disaster Recovery Payment
The federal government has announced the commencement of Disaster Recovery Payment of $1000 per adult (eligible) and $400 per child (eligible).
This one-off payment is available to individuals in affected local government areas, who have experienced significant loss, including a severely damaged or destroyed home, or serious injury. Click here to read the Prime Ministers Press Release.
This payment can be claimed through myGov account or by calling Services Australia.
For further information about the Payment, click here.
Emergency Hardship Assistance Grant
The QLD residents in affected areas can access the Emergency Hardship Assistance Grant of $180 per person and up to $900 for a family of 5 or more.
For more information on this payment, click here.
Disaster Relief Grant
Individuals in affected areas of NSW can access the Disaster Relief Grant. It is designed for low income earners whose primary place of residence has been impacted by the current flooding.
For further information, click here.
Disaster Relief Options for Businesses
Employees and small business owners in the affected areas, who have lost income as a direct result of the extreme weather conditions, can access the Disaster Recovery Allowance. This allowance provides a maximum of 13 weeks payment from the date of lost income.
In NSW, small businesses may be eligible for a storm and flood disaster recovery small business grant of up to $50,000 to assist with costs of clean-up and reinstatement of operations.
Click here to check eligibility and Apply!
Communicating with and Supporting Staff in Affected Areas
Dealing with a natural disaster can be difficult especially when your loved ones, friends and colleagues are involved. Therefore it is essential for employers to check up on their staff to ensure they are coping well and offer assistance where required.
Below are some tips when communicating with staff affected by the extreme weather conditions:
Provide concise and regular safety updates
Provide a main emergency contact of someone at your business
Provide timely information about workplace status, including whether employees should avoid the premises
Avoid use of serious language that might create increased fear
Show empathy
Share details of the official government websites for employees to access essential information
Tip: Communicate with employees through the disaster and check in on them individually. Additionally, it can be beneficial to share or send relevant updates to employee mobile phones and personal emails instead of only on work emails.
Moreover, to support staff located in flood zones, it is essential that you:
Provide Flexibility: including remote work or work from home options.
Have Constant Communication: ensure that you keep employees up to date with any changes in business operations, details about entering office premises or any other necessary information.
Provide Mental Health Support Options: natural disaster tend to take a toll on an individuals mental wellbeing. Therefore, it can be beneficial to be share or remind employee’s of the available EAP or offer other services.
Provide Information on available Financial Support: along with decreased mental wellbeing, natural disaster can cause financial stress due to a loss in income. Therefore, it can be helpful to continuously inform and update employees on available government financial assistance options.