Employees Stress about Returning to Work
Coping with the Virus and Uncertainty
The pandemic has stressed everyone. We are concerned about health. Not just our own, but that of our families, our friends and our coworkers. We’re worried about economic security. Now, workers across the country are contending with the anxiety of returning to work.
Change is always hard and witnessing first-hand new company policies and procedures to battle the spread of the virus can be particularly troubling. This is especially true for people who have been sheltering at home for months while watching rising numbers of cases and deaths from the virus.
Persistent stress costs. It takes a toll on people’s health and mental well-being. It causes people to lose focus and contributes to disengagement. Employers know the importance of an enthusiastic workforce and the relationship between engaged associates and success. Studies have demonstrated organizations with highly engaged employees realize higher results in productivity, sales, customer satisfaction and net profitability. The stresses people feel from the pandemic is certainly not the fault of the company, but the damage it can do is no less real.
Employers must prepare for the changing world to reopen, but they also need to look for ways to help those employees returning to work cope with new stresses. Empathizing with employees and helping them deal with the changes implemented to keep them safe can build trust that will pay dividends for years to come.
Where to start
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers a wealth of resources to help. From checklists on reopening to tips to help employees cope with stress to suggestions for employees to deal with job stress, the CDC offers resources that employers can leverage to help associates deal with our “new normal”. Here’s some links to get you started:
Resuming Business TOOLKIT - Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Stress and Coping - Coping with stress during a COVID-19 outbreak will make you, your loved ones, and your community stronger.
Employees: How to Cope with Job Stress and Build Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic
As employees return to work, they are going to feel stress. Don’t let their anxieties control your business. Build a plan to show them you understand, are looking out for their health and to help them deal with the inevitable anxieties they will feel. And, remember to leverage all your recognition tools to keep people engaged, connected and focused to combat stress and highlight success.