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With the onset of war with Iraq and
the ongoing threat of terrorist attacks, our world has changed drastically,
and focusing on "business as usual" has become extremely
difficult. But occupying our time with the routine of work is a
necessary step in coping with crisis.
Each person reacts differently to a crisis and a range of responses
can be expected. You must remember, however, that for some people
the effects may not be felt immediately but, instead, arise months
later.
Signs of Emotional Impact
As the war and the terrorist threat continue, you may
begin to see evidence of the emotional impact on employees. This
may play out in their performance and productivity in the following
ways:
- Working slowly Appearing numb or emotionless
- Missing deadlines Withdrawal from work activity
- Absenteeism; calling in sick frequently Overworking
- Irritability and anger Forgetting directives, procedures and requests
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
Difficulty with work transitions or changes
in routines
What Employers Can Do
To help your employees work through the emotional tolls
of this crisis and reduce the impact on your organization’s productivity, Mental Health America
(MHA) recommends the following
actions:
- Educate your supervisors and managers. Inform all supervisors
and human resources professionals about the signs of emotional distress;
all policy changes and actions being taken in response to the crisis;
and available counseling resources so they, in turn, can inform
their staffs. Direct them to encourage employees to seek counseling
when necessary. Have them tell employees that your doors are open
to them during this and other times of crisis. Designate a human
resources or other manager as a contact person.
- Provide educational resources. Your employee assistance program
(EAP), human resources unit and/or local mental health center may
have educational materials and information on covered treatment
resources. Make sure to have up-to-date provider listings, as well
as information about available benefits and the processes for accessing
care. Tell employees whom they should contact if they have trouble
accessing services or if they are unhappy with the quality of care
they receive.
- Facilitate communication among employees. Support from their
colleagues can help people work through difficulties. Consider allowing
people to break from work periodically to talk. Provide a comfortable
environment where they can gather.
- Consider bringing a professional counselor/facilitator on-site.
A professional can conduct group meetings and provide individual
counseling. This will help you identify and get help to those who
need it most. This will help alleviate their immediate anxiety and
reduce their need for services later on.
- Consider temporary changes in your leave and travel policies. Allow
people to take time off beyond the norm to donate blood, take part
in community activities and to address personal needs. With regard
to travel, reassure employees that you have their safety in mind,
first and foremost. Tell them about any short-term travel policy
changes, and let them know that policies will be revised as required
by future events.
- Promote tolerance. Warn employees that you will not tolerate
hostility directed at members of specific ethnic or religious groups,
in the workplace, among your customers or in the community. Supervisors
will challenge discriminatory remarks or actions, or any form or
harassment, and disciplinary action will be taken.
- Organize community activities. Hold a blood drive, collect
donations for "care packages" or encourage writing letters
to people in the military. Show employees that your organization
is committed to helping those in the workplace, and to supporting
our service men and women.
- Plan for future emergencies. Create or review your organization’s
emergency plan to address any situations that might arise from the
current crisis. Involve all levels of staff in the planning. Remind
employees of emergency procedures. Feeling prepared will help ease
their anxiety.
What Employees Can Do
- Know what to expect of yourself. You may not be prepared
for the intensity of your emotions or how quickly your moods can
change. If your feelings are too much to bear, seeking help is a
sign of strength, not weakness. Mental Health problems – in general
and in response to this crisis – are real, diagnosable and treatable.
Furthermore, mental health treatment is very effective. People should
never be embarrassed to seek the help they need.
- Talk with your co-workers and listen patiently. If you feel
grief, anxiety or anger, you are not alone. Talk with colleagues
who are experiencing the same feelings. Be aware of the special
needs of people who have loved ones in the military or living overseas.
When listening, don’t try to "fix it" or offer false comfort,
especially if somebody has lost a loved one. Instead, offer a simple
expression of sorrow and take time to listen. Discourage damaging
ways of coping, such as excessive drinking. Don’t hesitate to recommend
professional help if needed.
- Accept that life will go on. Acknowledge that everyday life
will be subdued and, perhaps, different in some way, depending on
your particular situation, but there will be continuity. Continuing
everyday routines helps with healing.
- Take care of yourself. Eat well, get plenty of rest and exercise,
spend time with those closest to you, postpone major life decisions
and other significant stressors if you can, and seek professional
help when necessary.
- Take care of your children. You may be concerned about the
well being of your children. There are things you can do to help
them handle the effects of this crisis:
- Turn off the TV news when children are in the room.
- Let children express their feelings and ask questions.
- Share your own coping strategies with them.
- Maintain a family routine.
- Reassure children that they are safe.
Mental Health America has resources to help you
and others cope with this crisis, as well as fact sheets on post-traumatic
stress, depression, anxiety, coping with loss and other topics.
Visit their Website at
www.nmha.org or call
their toll-free line at 800-969-NMHA.
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