After stressful pandemic, don't be surprised if employees are reluctant to return

As employees return to in-person work, you must be ready for the many emotional and psychological hurdles they will face. There has been ample news coverage about the invisible toll the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on our personal lives, but we're just beginning to grapple with the damage done to our workplaces.

When you have to laugh or you'll cry

The natural joys of spring and summer, coupled with the excitement of being able to hug our friends and loved ones once again, can easily mask the difficult months that came before. But we can't forget the fear caused by empty grocery store shelves, the muted joy of welcoming a new baby while cut off from familial support, or the utter helplessness of watching loved ones pass away alone. Every lost celebration of birthdays, holidays, and major milestones reminds us it has been a hard 15 months.

In the face of the great losses, some are experiencing mental health struggles for the first time. And many who have a history of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and a litany of other issues have seen greater challenges than ever before. Those facing mental health issues because of the pandemic (a significant proportion of the workforce) may be understandably reticent to venture back into a world that has felt unsafe for so long.

Tips to help employees, employers adjust to new normal