There’s a second epidemic occurring in the wake of COVID-19. “The pandemic is causing a groundswell of worry and anxiety about issues within and outside the workplace,” says Bill Hooker, PDRMA Training Program Supervisor, “and distraction caused by those worries and anxieties can translate into employees losing focus — focus they need to stay safe at work and at home.”

Studies back this up: “Nearly 70 percent of workers feel more stressed during COVID-19 than at any other point in their career,” according to an April 2020 report from Ginger Research. “There’s a whole variety of factors weighing on people’s minds now,” says Tim Jaskiewicz, PDRMA Risk Management Consultant. “Family concerns about changes in partner income, safety and welfare of partners, safety and education of children at home or in schools, and the health of older family members are significant ones. Add workplace pressures — like personal safety and changes in working hours and job tasks — to the list, and it’s a complex and concerning set of circumstances that could distract anyone.”

“It’s not simply a matter of the usual multi-tasking people have to do,” adds Mary Pedersen, PDRMA Risk Management Consultant. “Many employees are performing new job tasks to fill in gaps left by furloughed employees. Distractions like these are a significant potential safety hazard.”

What, Me Worry?

“Distracted people don’t just misplace their car keys,” says Jaskiewicz. “Someone worrying about childcare while on the job, because schools are virtual, may let their attention slip while driving. Will she check her mirrors before changing lanes? Call the kids to check in while driving? It’s easy to lose focus on the vehicles around you and rear-end the car ahead of you.”

As the weather turns colder and wetter, employees thinking about their parents’ welfare may not focus on CORE 6 principles as much as they should. They may not notice patches of ice, sidewalk cracks or other slip, trip and fall hazards. Managers may provide only cursory supervision or inadequate responses when trying to prevent or handle crisis situations like a lost child or patron/employee injury.

Communication Is Key

We can sum up an effective way to address COVID-related stress in the workplace in one word: Communication.

“Helping employees manage their worries to reduce distractions and maintain a safety culture is a management priority,” explains Hooker. “Supervisors need to remain tuned in when it comes to staff concerns and keep up two-way communication with all employees.”

That may require managers to communicate in new ways — via weekly emails, regular breakfast meetings (socially distanced), group phone calls or one-on-one (socially distanced) meetings. This is especially important for talking about workplace concerns, adds Pedersen. “Employees are sensitive to changes in their workplace, even more so during an epidemic when so much is changing.”

“Agencies should clarify expectations, policies, directions and procedures to their employees,” notes Jaskiewicz. “Employees need to feel fully informed about any changes that affect them…and that management is listening to their concerns.”

Member employees may also have access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), either through PDRMA or with a different EAP vendor your agency uses.

Through PDRMA’s EAP, you can schedule up to three confidential appointments with a counselor for help in reducing stress and anxiety and/or resolving issues you need help to solve. You also can view recorded webinars and explore other resources to help with financial and legal issues.