Managing Pandemic Stress

We are now a year into a new reality defined by the Coronavirus. We are sick and tired (and not just figuratively) of COVID-19 and the limitations on our activities and social life. The rollout of vaccines has provided some hope for a return to normal routines, but distribution will take time and relief won’t be instantaneous. We can expect the stress of this pandemic will continue for months to come.

When stress gets out of hand, in schools as in business, it can manifest as employee burn-out. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) recognizes burn-out to be a syndrome characterized by symptoms that include:

• Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion
• Increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job
• Reduced professional efficacy

The effects of burn-out extend beyond employees’ work life, into their home and social life. This is especially true with many employees still working from home. Numerous families have suffered unemployment or job insecurity from the economic impacts of the Coronavirus. All of these stresses can combine to increase the risk of illness. In the short-term, lowered immunity can make us more susceptible to infection; in the long-term, it can lead to development of chronic disease.

"We can expect pandemic stress will continue for months to come."

Being away from your usual workplace is disorienting, but returning to school is probably causing concern, too. Will it be safe? When can I get my vaccination? How do I avoid bringing the virus home to vulnerable family members? I’m dealing with my own stress; how do I support my team?

Critical needs for supervisors to address are:

• Appropriate workloads, with the resources to perform the work.
• Checking in with employees regularly, both about the work and how they are coping.
• Harassment and discrimination in the workplace must be confronted immediately, whether in the office or the virtual workplace.
• Recognize and celebrate individual and team achievements.
• Encourage a positive work-life balance when employees work from home.
• Relieve stress and prevent injuries by encouraging physical activity to break up screen time.

Reducing negative stress and preventing burn-out helps you and your employees remain productive, even during this current public health crisis. Dealing with small issues proactively is far less time consuming than reacting to a major incident.