Mentorship Ethics in Creating a Sustainable Workplace

Experienced workers have some responsibility to young or new workers to prevent PTSD and burnout. Because experienced workers are also often overwhelmed, they need the support of managers to make healthy, sustainable workplaces.

· The first step in caring for new workers is to actually choose to be a mentor and to think through the responsibilities that come with that.

· Be a role model: take your breaks, leave on time, practice self-care.

· Follow up with new workers after incidents.

· Give praise when they do things well.

· Offer feedback when they are open to receive it; invite feedback.

· Be open about how the work affects you in order to give “permission” to them to admit that they are also affected.

· Be clear about the consequences of saying “no” in work contexts; encourage people to say “no” when it feels right to set boundaries.

· Encourage new workers to voice feelings of discomfort, fear, and not feeling ready. Help them work through them.

· Help them with developing soft skills like time management, follow-through and communication. (There’s no need to be stressed about the administrative work as well as the care work.)