{"id":6086,"date":"2020-05-10T20:55:15","date_gmt":"2020-05-10T18:55:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.synthesis.co.za\/?p=6086"},"modified":"2022-12-01T15:32:39","modified_gmt":"2022-12-01T13:32:39","slug":"taking-the-pulse-of-employees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.synthesis.co.za\/taking-the-pulse-of-employees\/","title":{"rendered":"Taking the Pulse of Employees"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Howard Feldman, Head of Marketing and People, Synthesis.<\/p>\n

Every Monday morning, I receive an email that asks me how I am feeling. Because it\u2019s Monday and because it\u2019s the morning, I am grateful that I am offered options in the form of emojis, so that all I need to do is click on the one that closest describes how I am feeling.<\/p>\n

I might be asked other questions. Perhaps, the email will ask me if my time is fully allocated and if I am aware who my mentor is. It might ask me to rate what I am struggling with (with options provided), or it might just thank me for my participation and allow me to get on with my day.<\/p>\n

The system, called Pulse, was conceived, according to Synthesis Director Tom Wells as a way to \u201chelp us to gauge any trends that may be surfacing within our team, but also to allow us to pick up on any anomalies within individuals or teams, which can then be actioned through the most appropriate channel\u201d.<\/p>\n

Later, as Head of People, I will receive the results for the whole company and I will be able to see not only who is struggling, but who is thriving, and also how we are doing week on week. The system provides me with insight into how people are coping, where the pressure points might be and where to focus.<\/p>\n

Although the \u201cPulse\u201d initiative was started before COVID-19<\/a> was imaginable, it is during this time where it has become invaluable to Synthesis as a company. There is little doubt that one of the unintended consequences of the Lockdown and of remote working, is the mental and emotional health of employees. A major concern across industries is the possibility of a mental health crisis following the pandemic. In reaction to this observation and in reaction to demand, Synthesis has moved Pulse into a closed beta testing phase in order to be able to customize it to clients.<\/p>\n

A system like Pulse cannot exist in a vacuum and has to form part of a broader strategy. At Synthesis we followed a holistic approach which included some of the following:<\/p>\n