Article Google is tackling mental health challenges among employees through 'resilience training' videos Throughout the coronavirus...

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Article Google is tackling mental health challenges among employees through 'resilience training' videos Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Google has emphasized employee health, establishing long-term remote work plans and offering periodic days off called reset days. Even that hasn't been enough to deal with the mental stress caused by the virus. "Covid-19 is something we weren't anticipating or frankly prepared for from a mental skills approach," said Lauren Whitt, whose title at Google is wellness manager and resilience lead. She has a big job, "helping Googlers meet the moment they're facing today." Whitt told CNBC in an interview that, in seeking out strategies to help Google's 130,000-plus employees deal with the ongoing crisis, the company is leaning on "resilience training," a phrase typically reserved for professional athletes and combat fighters. The company said it has expanded existing programs and created weekly short instructional videos from athletes, coaches and psychologists, which employees are watching with greater frequency. Alphabet's chief financial officer, Ruth Porat, who organized the early crisis response efforts, said last week that the company has rebounded after a dip in employee productivity. Her main concern today is with their mental wellness due both to isolation and the intensity of recent events. "One of the things we're very concerned about is the wellness measures," Porat said at The New York Times DealBook conference. "What are some of the things we could do that helps ease the stress of working during a pandemic?" For investors, Alphabet continues to perform. The stock is trading near a record, up 32% this year, compared with the 12% gain by the S&P 500. But the company's vocal employee base has not been silent about the surrounding struggles, particularly at a time when they don't have access to their usual campus amenities. Article Google is tackling mental health challenges among employees through 'resilience training' videos Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Google has emphasized employee health, establishing long-term remote work plans and offering periodic days off called reset days. Even that hasn't been enough to deal with the mental stress caused by the virus. "Covid-19 is something we weren't anticipating or frankly prepared for from a mental skills approach," said Lauren Whitt, whose title at Google is wellness manager and resilience lead. She has a big job, "helping Googlers meet the moment they're facing today." Whitt told CNBC in an interview that, in seeking out strategies to help Google's 130,000-plus employees deal with the ongoing crisis, the company is leaning on "resilience training," a phrase typically reserved for professional athletes and combat fighters. The company said it has expanded existing programs and created weekly short instructional videos from athletes, coaches and psychologists, which employees are watching with greater frequency. Alphabet's chief financial officer, Ruth Porat, who organized the early crisis response efforts, said last week that the company has rebounded after a dip in employee productivity. Her main concern today is with their mental wellness due both to isolation and the intensity of recent events. "One of the things we're very concerned about is the wellness measures," Porat said at The New York Times DealBook conference. "What are some of the things we could do that helps ease the stress of working during a pandemic?" For investors, Alphabet continues to perform. The stock is trading near a record, up 32% this year, compared with the 12% gain by the S&P 500. But the company's vocal employee base has not been silent about the surrounding struggles, particularly at a time when they don't have access to their usual campus amenities.