• About Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Contact Us
  • Offers
  • Events
  • Newsletter
  • Podcasts
  • Digital Magazine
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Self Development
  • Growth
  • Finance
  • Marketing
  • Technology
  • Sustainability
  • About Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Contact Us
  • Offers
  • Events
  • Newsletter
  • Podcasts
  • Digital Magazine
NZBusiness Magazine

Type and hit Enter to search

Linkedin Facebook Instagram Youtube
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Self Development
  • Growth
  • Finance
  • Marketing
  • Technology
  • Sustainability
NZBusiness Magazine
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Self Development
  • Growth
  • Finance
  • Marketing
  • Technology
  • Sustainability
Covid 19Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Strategies for employers supporting migrants

Migrants are requiring increased support from their Kiwi employers as they deal with increased anxiety caused by Covid-19’s impact on the families they’ve left behind.

Glenn Baker
Glenn Baker
February 10, 2021 2 Mins Read
838

With the number of Covid-19 infections increasing globally, migrants living and working in New Zealand need increased support from their employers as they deal with heightened fear, distress and guilt caused by anxiety about the families they have left behind.

Diversity Works New Zealand Chief Executive Maretha Smit (pictured) says it’s evident from conversations with migrants and the agencies working to support them and employers that this is a very stressful time for anyone concerned about loved ones living in another country.

“Personally, I have experienced high levels of anxiety and guilt in respect of my elderly parents who are not in an environment where they are safe from the virus. I worry about not being able to visit them in the event of a crisis, and I have started a bad habit of having my phone next to my bed in order to be available across the time zones if necessary – which does not always make for a good night’s rest.”

Diversity Works New Zealand worked with Counselling Psychologist Matthew Kalloor and Belong Aotearoa CEO Rochana Sheward to put together the following strategies for employers supporting migrants:

  • Remember that everyone, including migrants, experience the pandemic differently so there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution. It’s important to come alongside your team member and offer support in meaningful and practical ways rather than dictating or directing solutions.
  • Check in regularly with staff members who have family overseas and refer them to organisations that can provide advice or coping strategies. Belong Aotearoa has links to Covid-19 support for migrants on its website.
  • Understand that being unable to travel home to support sick or elderly family members can create feelings of guilt, helplessness and even despair. This could impact work behaviours or outputs.
  • If a team member can’t return home to mourn the death of a loved one, it’s important for employers to find out how they can support them in a culturally appropriate way.
  • Appreciate that the economic impact of the pandemic may mean migrants are concerned about the financial situation of family back home or are even sending money home, putting a strain on their own finances.
  • Be aware that time differences may mean people are up late, talking to family or waiting for news from home, resulting in sleep disruption. If necessary, look at whether work hours or responsibilities can be adjusted to accommodate people’s needs.
  • Look at how the wider team can support migrant colleagues – research in organisational psychology shows that individual autonomy is strengthened by the positive impacts of being part of a safe, well-managed team

Read the full story here.

Share Article

Glenn Baker
Follow Me Written By

Glenn Baker

Glenn is a professional writer/editor with 50-plus years’ experience across radio, television and magazine publishing.

Other Articles

TEDEx 22 May
Previous

TEDxAuckland 2021

Showcase
Next

SHOWCASE NORTH HARBOUR

Next
Showcase
February 12, 2021

SHOWCASE NORTH HARBOUR

Previous
February 4, 2021

TEDxAuckland 2021

TEDEx 22 May

Subscribe to our newsletter

NZBusiness Digital Issue – June 2025

READ MORE

The Latest

A smooth journey to business growth

June 25, 2025

Tourism HQ revamps rite of passage for first-time travellers with Spring Break Fiji 2.0

June 25, 2025

Power shift

June 23, 2025

AI that actually works for you

June 20, 2025

How tech, optimism and agility can drive SME growth

June 19, 2025

Disruption and opportunity: Why Kiwi companies are looking to the UK

June 19, 2025

Most Popular

Understanding AI
How much AI data is generated every 60 seconds? New report reveals global AI use
Navigating economic headwinds: Insights for SME owners
Navigating challenges: Small business resilience amidst sales decline
Nourishing success: Sam Bridgewater on his entrepreneurship journey with The Pure Food Co

Related Posts

Gender and entrepreneurship: Why women quit

June 13, 2024

What Māori business owners need now

May 17, 2024
Hiring for neurodivergents

Hiring for Neurodivergents

December 19, 2023

Revamped MBA ensures ‘access to excellence’

December 4, 2023
NZBusiness Magazine

New Zealand’s leading source for business news, training guides and opinion from small businesses to multi-national corporations.

© Pure 360 Limited.
All Rights Reserved.

Quick Links

  • Advertise with us
  • Magazine issues
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy policy
  • Sitemap

Categories

  • News
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Growth
  • Finance
  • Education & Development
  • Marketing
  • Technology
  • Sustainability

Follow Us

LinkedIn
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Self Development
  • Growth
  • Finance
  • Marketing
  • Technology
  • Sustainability