People Factors During the COVID-19 Virus Crisis
In times of crisis, it’s crucial to prioritize the human element within organizations. The psychological impact on individuals, teams, and the organization as a whole cannot be overlooked.
The Importance of Individual Resilience
One key aspect of managing people during a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic is understanding individual resilience. This refers to the ability to recover from adverse events by harnessing positive emotions. Not everyone has the same level of resilience—factors such as past trauma, upbringing, experiences, and even genetic predispositions can influence how people react to stress.
Key Point 1: People may respond in many varied ways.
Normalizing Reactions to Abnormal Events
It’s vital to acknowledge that feelings of fear, anxiety, anger, or even denial are normal reactions to a crisis. Different people cope in different ways—some might experience acute distress, while others seem to recover quickly only to face unexpected mental health challenges later. Nevertheless, most people handle the temporary upheaval with remarkable resilience.
Key Point 2: Whatever you are experiencing, it is a normal reaction to an abnormal event.
Supporting Employee Mental Health
To support employees’ mental health, it’s important for HR departments to provide access to services like occupational health, mental-health first-aid, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). An EAP offers free, professional, and confidential counseling for employees and their immediate families, funded by the organization.
Key Point 3: Have an Employee Assistance Program available for your staff.
If your organization lacks an EAP, consider giving all employees access to licensed mental health professionals, such as counselors or psychologists.
The COVID-19 crisis will eventually end, but the actions your organization and HR department take now will be remembered. A positive and compassionate response can enhance engagement, loyalty, and retention in the future.
For more information about AZTech’s Human Resource Management Training Courses, explore our offerings to ensure your team is equipped for success.
