As an employee, you can never control the decisions, policies and rules of the business establishment in which we work. At every level, our bosses make the decision for us and larger decisions are made by the executives or the board of directors. For those of us, who see the right and the wrong in decision making and do not feel aligned to the decisions, we feel out of control. Some of us are patient and understand the reasons and accept the decisions mentally, even when we feel otherwise. Some are agitated and voice it over to our bosses or boss's bosses. Some of these feedback are heard and some are not. Again, the feeling about having less control or no control sinks into your mind. When the decision negatively impacts your health and security as an individual, you feel very unsafe.
Experimental and Clinical research confirms that having little or no control is always distressful – and that my friends, is STRESS.
In the current scenario of the global pandemic of corona virus, we see that the normal stress level of people at work has multiplied several times. As the pandemic is about a severe illness that can cause death and it is spreading with little to no control from humans that include doctors and hospitals, the inability or the lack of control thereof, has put enormous STRESS to every human being, who is aware of this pandemic. To add to it, when you are in corporate work, it worsens.
If you are an executive, the decision to keep the business open or shut, adhering to government orders, losing the business during the "Shelter in Place", employee safety etc are the additional stressors running in your mind, besides being concerned about your and your family's safety.
If you are a mid level to low level employee, adhering to the orders of the government to adhering to the orders of the company adds to the stress. Sometimes, you do not even think that the orders protect your safety. Recently, I talked to an employee of a corporate Coffee chain business, during the lock down. He was concerned that the company decided to keep the stores open for take out orders and that there is no way they can protect from being infected by the customers, if they have any, as the store set up does not help them being at 6 ft distance while taking and serving the orders. Another grocery store employee also shared with me a constraint that there is an upsurge in customers to buy groceries and some of them do cough and these employees at the counters have no protection, other than wearing gloves. These are big stressors as we see that social distancing is not well supported by all businesses for people in all walks of life.
Needless to say, the stress of the people at work in the medical and health profession is at its peak. For all the reasons, including treating patients with this deadly virus, to not having adequate Personal Protective equipment and to the fear of transmitting to family members.
During this global pandemic crisis, stress levels of the entire world's population at work are at record levels in history. When you are not aware and when you do not address it, this stress, in long term can cause severe health problems, by itself. Ageless ancient tools and practices that can be applied to the modern corporate mind can help you to be aware of the stressors, intensity of stress and methods to calm and soothe your mind, to the extent possible, when you are doing everything else to be safe.
Stay safe and Be Well!
This crisis has to end!