Organizational measures to protect the mental health of healthcare and social services staff during COVID-19: perspectives of human resources advisors

Purpose In the context of a larger study aiming to develop a workplace mental health support tool during the COVID-19 pandemic, this paper sought to document the measures targeting the psychosocial work environment that were introduced or maintained in Quebec’s health and social services network institutions, in Canada, and the perceived efficacy of the measures by human resources advisors. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on a descriptive research design using an online questionnaire administered between May 14 and June 4, 2021 to human resources advisors who were responsible for implementing such measures, and thus served as key informants. Findings On the basis of respondents from 31 participating institutions, it was found that measures focusing on interpersonal relations, flexible or reduced work time and access to protective equipment were most frequently reported as implemented and were amongst the measures deemed most efficacious, along with COVID-19 screening, financial compensation during isolation and facilitation of telework. Several staffing and worktime measures with the potential to directly target excessive workload during the pandemic were deemed less efficacious by these advisors. Originality/value This study proposes an alternative to avoid directly soliciting healthcare staff when they are not easily available. In addition to providing an overview of promising organizational measures that institutions can implement in times of crisis and beyond, this study contributes to the literature on intervention processes, by highlighting the possibility and added value of surveying key informants as a means of gaining insight into implementation through the lens of human resources advisors.