When an employer shows empathy – treating employees as human beings with feelings and not just workers who help produce profit – it can make a significant difference in the workplace, studies show. How much of a difference? A 2018 State of Workplace Empathy Study by Businessolver found that 96 percent of employees surveyed believed it was important for their employers to demonstrate empathy. On the other hand, 92 percent thought empathy remains undervalued. 

And eight of 10 employees, HR professionals and CEOs agreed that an empathetic workplace has a positive impact on business performance, motivating workers and increasing productivity. It’s vital that company leaders show they care about their employees – especially when a life event, such as a family tragedy or a personal challenge, happens to the worker, says Kerry Alison Wekelo, a human resources expert and author of Culture Infusion: 9 Principles to Create and Maintain a Thriving Organizational Culture. 

“We often don't know what another person might be going through,” says Wekelo  (www.actualizeconsulting.com). “Unfortunately, part of life is crisis, challenge, and the loss of loved ones. With a focus on people first and practicing empathy, it means so much to the employee both in the immediate and in the long-term. They’ll want to work there because they feel truly cared about.” Wekelo offers four ways business leaders can show their employees that they care: 

• Cover for them. When employees have a crisis and need time away, Wekelo says, quickly and nicely assure them that they are covered and can focus on their personal situation. “This alleviates the stress of having to worry about work,” Wekelo says. “And don’t make them feel like they have to hurry back.”
• Reach out consistently and with sincerity. Consistent communication with the employee while away shows the employee you truly care. “During the life event, regularly send the employee notes or texts that you are thinking of them,” Wekelo says. “Send a personalized card, too, but the proactive, frequent communication makes all the difference. And it should continue after they return to work, which may be when they struggle most.”
• Spend one-on-one time with them. Even when things are normal in the employee’s life, sit down with them and take interest in their life outside of work. “Ask your team members how they are doing personally so they know you care more than just about their work product,” Wekelo says. “Connecting with specific examples of areas of interest aid in ensuring they know you care.”​
• Listen to them about work issues – and give them a voice.  “As a leader,” Wekelo says, “you send an important message by having an open-door policy.  Make certain your employees know they can come to talk at anytime.” That way, she says, issues will be identified and resolved, rather than building a culture that allows them to fester.”

“Empathetic behavior shows people they are being heard and therefore appreciated,” Wekelo says, “which in turn can boost morale and productivity.”
 
About Kerry Alison Wekelo
Kerry Alison Wekelo (www.actualizeconsulting.com) is managing director of human resources and operations for Actualize Consulting. She also is author of Culture Infusion: 9 Principles to Create and Maintain a Thriving Organizational Culture. Among her other accomplishments, Wekelo is a yoga teacher, life coach, award-winning author of children’s books, and the founder of Zendoway, a company that encourages holistic wellness.

The shared office space concept has risen steadily in popularity over the past decade, and by 2020 more than 26,000 co-working spaces will be in use globally, according to Small Business Labs, which tracks trends in small businesses. Those co-use office locations will be the work base for 3.8 million people – over double the number in 2017. The rapid growth of shared office space has sparked an evolution in how buildings, work environments and special features are tailored to this relatively new category of worker. 

“Shared office space can make a real difference in your career, giving you space, information, culture and connection,” says April Zimmerman Katz, president of the Zimmerman Companies, a property management company in Columbus, Ohio, and co-founder of Versa LLC (www.versa.works), a provider of shared innovative work space in Columbus. “People can find both the business and human empowerment they need through welcoming and functional workspaces with multiple resources. Collaborative spaces attract innovative and creative people looking for a unique environment.”

Katz lists four benefits workers seek in collaborative spaces:

• Cost efficiency. Buying or leasing a full or traditional office is often far more expensive than a shared office space. Monthly membership fees for shared spaces can be relatively low compared to the cost of a typical office, including furniture and other office necessities.
• Flexibility. An environment that provides enough space for both concentrating on work as well as socializing reflects a kind of “freedom” to which workers of all ages aspire, Katz says. “Spaces that break down the barrier between free time and work time provide comfort, balance, positive energy and inspiration.” 
• Connection. A shared office space opens a path to meeting new people in the professional world and networking. Many such buildings are designed with an openness, which provides an inviting atmosphere. Usually, a good number of people occupy a shared office space, and the demographics can change frequently as people come and go. “Adults tend to frequent the same places every day, namely the traditional office set-up,” Katz says. “The result is a form of isolation – from community, information and trends. A shared space community creates awareness through exposure to new connections and perspectives that benefit you and your world.”
• Empowerment. A shared office often offers extras in terms of professional, cultural and personal activities or classes. “Being part of a varied community that proposes interesting activities means members will be exposed to others’ interests, which along with discovering similarities, becomes an enriching experience,” Katz says. “You can gain significant personal improvement from expanding the normal office environment.”

“Shared office space is a more sophisticated vision of collaboration and networking,” Katz says. “You can find the ideal place to do good work, and there’s help in numerous ways to grow professionally and personally.”

​About April Zimmerman Katz
April Zimmerman Katz is owner and president of The Zimmerman Companies, which manages several multigenerational family assets. Her management company’s multifamily division oversees several Columbus communities, including The Deco, a mixed use community which opened this past summer and The Olympic Indoor Tennis Club.  Recently, Zimmerman Katz cofounded Versa LLC (www.versa.works), a provider of shared work space in Columbus, Ohio. She is the mother of five children and married to Kyle Katz, a partner in Versa and a Columbus-based real estate investor. 

Coming from a South Asian background and watching the women around me constantly be the caregivers, and having that idea drilled into my existence for a very long time, the notion of self care took ages to embrace and even enjoy. But now that I do it, I find it an immensely fruitful experience, not only putting me in a state of wellbeing but also giving me the impetus to care for others better, now that I am in a place of satisfaction with myself. I put myself first when it comes to my health so I can concentrate better on my goals personally and professionally.

I do at least three things daily that are just about me. I enjoy my morning tea or coffee minus any distractions. In fact, the husband and I use this time to talk about what we have going on for the day and what we are looking forward to.

I then read for about 15-30 minutes. Not on a device but either a magazine or a book so I am not tempted to check into my email or social media for a quick glance.

And I spend 10-15 minutes looking at my paper diary planning my day and prioritizing the five things I want to address.

Additionally, I spend 15 minutes doing stretches which are integral to my health as I do have a back injury from a few years ago that I have to pay attention to in order to avoid any future issues.

So essentially, the first hour of every day, at least during the work week, is focused on my self care and I am truly thankful for that. On a monthly basis, I ensure I head out for at least one weekend activity every week, typically a Saturday hike or a Sunday bike ride by the beach. I always make time for a monthly massage and a monthly manicure/pedicure as well. And if the month goes really well in terms of personal and professional goals, we splurge with a nice weekend away or dinner out to enjoy what we have accomplished thus far!

​What is your self care routine? 

Out of sheer frustration with having to chase payments for work long completed and submitted, and simply aghast at the prevalent issue of non-payment in the publishing and media industry, I decided to create my own digital lifestyle magazine during the holidays last year (2017).

I have so far published two digital issues and am working on my third to be released later this month. My goal is to make this an international publication, well read globally among a culture conscious and world aware audience, to increase subscriptions through the year (currently free to sign up and receive the monthly mag direct to inbox) and eventually garner advertising and sponsorship to be able to pay writers and photographers that I commission stories to.

This is ideally done by a large media and publishing conglomerate or at least a smaller team but currently I do this completely on my own – I design the magazine, I write copy and shoot images, I publish it online and promote it as well.

The primary obstacle is people wanting to benefit from my efforts but not support – friends have asked if they can write for me for free just to receive an extra byline for themselves but not necessarily ask me how they can help or spread the word to benefit my cause before they ask for something for themselves. I am more open to working with people that show an interest in my work for what it is and help increase subscriptions to benefit us both in the long run.

Another obstacle is the disbelief people express when I say I am a publisher and editor of a digital magazine since an individual owning a publication is not the norm, so showing that this is my business and not a hobby has been a roadblock. This isn’t crazy or unachievable. It's simply a matter of putting out a consistent product of quality that people will take note of and I will work on it with all my heart to make it a fruitful and life satisfying experience.