Description

The greatest psychological battle for employees returning to work post-COVID-19, is with Fear. Fear of the future and fear of the unknown. This is no ordinary fear but that which is accompanied by high levels of anxiety about the potential of experiencing great harm and personal jeopardy. In other words, employees will be afraid of getting very ill or dying from the virus and also transmitting the virus to their loved ones who may be in a vulnerable category themselves.

These are exceptional times and exceptional circumstances where even the most mundane situation of coming back to the office raises the potentiality of heightened anxiety and negative emotional responses. As soon as employees enter the office building(s) (from any entry point) they will need complete assurance of their physical safety, which will give them confidence and provide that buffer against negative thoughts and concomitant anxiety.

The three critical issues for ensuring psychological safety to returning to work are…