Spotting The Signs Of Post-pandemic Trauma In Employees

According to the American Psychological Association, the pandemic was actually traumatizing for employees. Trauma refers to the emotional response people have to a shocking or life-changing event, and the past year undoubtedly fits this definition.

Although parts of the world are reopening, that trauma is still having a major impact on professionals. In fact, a recent survey revealed that 47% of adults continue to report negative mental health experiences caused by the pandemic.

Understanding and addressing these issues will be crucial to the future of companies as business leaders plan their post-pandemic strategies. So what signs can employers look out for so they can better support workers?

For starters, leaders should be hypervigilant and be able to spot the signs of anxiety, depression or burnout in their employees. Oftentimes, workers who are unengaged and distant may actually be suffering from deeper issues.

Additionally, if someone is taking longer and more frequent breaks, they may be dealing with emotional triggers and need space to collect themselves. 

This coincides with workers taking more sick days and using paid time off. If someone is dealing with severe depression or anxiety, getting out of bed can be physically impossible.