Due to the Covid 19 pandemic the thought of returning to the workplace sends many into a panic. But organisations need their workforce back – so, how do we best support these people in a world where the second wave is raging?
As an occupational physician, I have a new challenge in dealing with the wide range of psychological reactions to Covid 19 and its impact on employees returning to the workplace. My observations are that the current situation, not helped by the media’s portrayal of the pandemic alongside government response, has created for some people an absolute fear of the virus, particularly in those people who are naturally anxious.
For many workers who have a tendency to neuroticism with an anxious and often pessimistic outlook in life, the Covid 19 pandemic has had a significant impact. Many are struggling with even leaving the security of their home. They are scared to interact with others and keep themselves isolated from their usual social support network. This leads to a further deterioration in their mental health. As a result of their fear, they struggle with putting risks into perspective, and for many even the thought of returning to the workplace sends them into a panic.
So how do we best support these people in a world where the second wave is raging through Europe and beyond? There is no certainty and we need to move forward with life and work. The economy is in recession with many businesses struggling and for industries where employees can’t work from home, they need their workforce back.
Key questions include:
- How many workers will lose their job because of their fear despite being at low risk with regard to their vulnerability to the virus?
- Will they ever recover in a world which is likely to continue to present a challenging environment?
With NHS mental health services struggling before the pandemic, there is going to need to be significant investment in psychological support to help the nation out of this crisis and help re-build the economy.
This support will need to include means by which we can help people address their fears, allow them to develop a better understanding of their own personal risk and importantly how they can feel in control of the situation.
Cognitive behaviour therapy for social anxiety following the Clark ad Wells model or Heimberg model tailored to supporting workers in leaving the safety of their home and re-engaging with the workplace may be one answer in moving workers closer to returning to being productive in work.
Further information on delivering psychological interventions can be found at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg159/chapter/recommendations#interventions-for-adults-with-social-anxiety-disorder-2.
Dr Nikki Cordell
November 2020
