Henry Bantjez
As South Africans move into level 1 of eased restrictions, many may still be working from home, with the trend of a 70:30 split between home and office workers.
We have graduated into recovery mode, and Covid-19 has forced us to accept a “new normal” in the workplace, whether going back at the office or not.
The pandemic led to emotional distress for most of our citizens, according to a recent field study done by Pretoria-based research firm, Askafrika, which explains the need for interventions, not only for those who are struggling to adapt but for those who are forced to enter a job market that has changed fundamentally.
The coronavirus pandemic caused many losses – income, financial security, relationships and our sense of the familiar.
Our citizens have for various reasons caused by the pandemic, moved into a state of emotional distress, which means that if the greater part of the country is dealing with loss, they are grieving, and a state of post-trauma affecting millions will not be conducive to an effective workforce if not addressed appropriately by providing psychological counselling and effectiveness coaching as an employee value proposition.
Our citizens have been reduced to the survival level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. We are getting laid off, SMEs are hardly surviving, and those who work in the gig economy, are severely impacted by the discontinuation of services. We are feeling financially insecure.
What you need to do now is to take action because there is a lot that you can do about your situation.
Here is how.
Maintain a routine. Structure is important. Whether you are working from home, back at the office, or not working at all. Write down three things you are grateful for every day.
Commit to accomplishing a few things every week, then relax. Connect with friends. The universe always answers. Unfortunately not always at your pace.
So let me then end this article by calling attention to resilience. If you are part of the returning phase, if you are out of a job and if your new normal feels upside-down, now is the time for resilience.
To cultivate resilience, we have to take care of ourselves and of others.
If our citizens are in a state of collective emotional distress, then let our experiences lead to a collective effort to overcome the situation.
Staying positive and spreading hope is another aspect of resilience. Resilience is an emotional muscle – one that can be nurtured and strengthened.
It is the ability to adapt well and bounce back from difficult and traumatic experiences and may involve personal growth.
* Henry Bantjez consults on change management and talent development and is doing virtual coaching on the new normal.
**For the latest on the Covid-19 outbreak, visit IOL's #Coronavirus trend page.
*** If you think you have been exposed to the Covid-19 virus, please call the 24-hour hotline on 0800 029 999 or visit sacoronavirus.co.za
Pretoria News