SJBiz_PandemicFeature_1220 - MentalHealth_Layout 1 12 / 16 / 20 5 : 25 PM Page 2 UNDER PRESSURE MOST ADULTS ARE ACCUSTOMED TO SOME cerned about their health and safety while FEELINGS OF ANXIETY AND LEVEL OF STRESS surrounding their job . working on campus , reasonable accom - Whether it’s pitching a client , handling a modations and the status of their position STRESS CAUSED BY THE busy rush of customers , learning a new during the pandemic , ” she says . software system or working late to meet a Employees working from home have PANDEMIC HAVE BROUGHT deadline , they occur in a small window of had to adjust as well . Those who thrived time and feel manageable . However , the on the community inside the office may MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS feel a sudden detachment or loneliness . prolonged pandemic has introduced new “ Some people may enjoy working remotely , levels of anxiety in the workforce , putting a TO THE FOREFRONT , AND although the circumstances during COVID - spotlight on employee well - being and the 19 are quite difficult and extremely restrictive . onus on business owners to provide access EMPLOYERS ARE WISE TO But overall , the risk for many in working re - to resources . motely over an extended period is isolation , OFFER RESOURCES AND HOW EMPLOYEES ARE FEELING lonelinessand disconnection from colleagues Emotions and anxieties differ from industry and friends , ” says Gruttadaro . “ If a person SUPPORT IN ORDER TO to industry and from person to person , es - is feeling lonely and isolated , they are at pecially when comparing essential workers risk of developing depression . ” MAINTAIN THEIR who continued to report to work in person Magnotta adds , “ It’s not just being iso - to those who were able to continue their lated [ while working from home ] , but a lot WORKFORCE’S WELL - BEING . job from home . of people have young children at home “ People are experiencing fear , uncer - and they’re being teachers in addition to and extreme disruption and distress tainty unique challenges . “ Obviously their lives runningtheir regular , 40 - hour - a - week careers . with the trifecta of a global pandemic , an have been affected more so than maybe That’s a lot to juggle . ” economic downturn and a highly charged some office staff and [ jobs ] like that , and WAYS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT political and racial justice environment , ” on those es - there’s definitely been a strain It’s more important than ever for business says Darcy E . Gruttadaro , JD , director , sential workers who are still going to work owners to take an active role in their em - Center for Workplace Mental Health , a na - every day and either facing things firsthand ployees ’ mental health , which has not tional organization that works with business or having to mitigate through the overall always been the norm . “ In general , com - leaders to improve and prioritize workplace uncertainties that the pandemic has panies are trying to understand how to mental health . brought . ” Additionally , there is the constant worry help manage their workforce now that “ Many people have lost jobs or are that health care workers may bring the virus they’re in this new environment . … Em - fearful of losing their jobs . Families are home to their families , says Gruttadaro . ployers are trying to be aware of it and juggling many responsibilities , including Rowan College of South Jersey ( RCSJ ) trying to understand how they can best full - time jobs , supporting their children in conducted an employee survey to capture help their employees adjust and manage remote learning and keeping everyone its employees ’ thoughts and apprehensions [ the situation ] , ” Magnotta says . safe and healthy , ” she continues . during these unprecedented times , says One of the most formal ways a business Chrissy Magnotta , director of client en - Coryndi McFadden , executive director , hu - can provide support is through an employee gagement at Katz / Pierz , an employee man resources . “ The survey’s key findings assistance program ( EAP ) , used to address benefit advisory organization , says health discovered that the employees were con - personal and work - related problems for care workers are a particular group facing SouthJerseyBiz.net | VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12 | SOUTH JERSEY BIZ | 23