Abstract
Occupational health nurses can promote resilience and encourage work–life fit by understanding organizational design and offering mental health and stress management resources.
When the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in early 2020, the world took little notice. Later when the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019 caused by SARS-CoV-2) pandemic was declared, few predicted its devastating effects. To date, nearly 19 million people have been diagnosed, with almost 5 million cases in the United States alone; globally, over 700,000 deaths from COVID-19 have been reported. Accuracy of pandemic numbers is questioned, but no one doubts the negative outcomes on the global economy and workers. Unemployment rates decreased in July, yet over 16 million U.S. workers remain unemployed; many work remotely or perform different job tasks (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020). Concerns over job security, economic uncertainty, and health risks from COVID-19 increase workers’ stress and threaten their well-being. To achieve work–life fit, workers need help finding time for themselves and their loved ones. The blurred lines between work and personal life when working from home during quarantine, while homeschooling, and caring for children or sick family members requires employer action to help fit work with employees’ new “normal” lives.
Gallop routinely surveys the global citizenry on multiple topics including how people and workplaces respond in a crisis, for example, after 9/11 and now during the COVID-19 pandemic. They found that during uncertain times, workers look for trust, compassion, stability, and hope from their leaders; people want to be part of the solution and are incredibly resilient when action plans are clear (Harter, 2020). Health care professionals reported similar expectations of their leaders (Shanafelt et al., 2020). Workers want strong leadership, consistent communication, team support, clear organizational strategies, and psychologically safe environments to protect their health and well-being. This type environment boosts self-compassion and self-care while building resilience among workers; organizational and employee resilience helps control mental health issues that may interfere with work–life fit (Blake et al., 2020).
Occupational health nurses can promote resilience and work–life fit by understanding organizational design and where to find key resources. Nurses can model compassion and caring while encouraging ways to control stress, avoid social isolation, and protect mental well-being. Adequate paid sick leave, flexible work environments, open communication, involvement in planning the pace and direction of work, and an organizational culture of health and safety demonstrate compassion and support. Avoiding late-in-the-day and after-hours emails or meetings, and offering cross-training and flexible working hours—with options to trade shifts—allow greater employee flexibility and encourage work–life fit (Hass et al., 2020).
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) Healthy Work Design and Well-Being Program has resources on improving work design, management practices, and physical and psychosocial work environments at https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/hwd/default.html. Gallop offers a free five-item COVID-19 Leadership Audit to assess workers’ confidence that the organization is designed to support and offer them hope during these turbulent times (Harter, 2020). Workplace specific results may find gaps where redesign strategies are needed. Blake and associates (2020) published an evidence-based e-tool with strategies for workplace design, psychological first aid, and self-care tips for health care workers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers resources for mental health in the workplace: https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/tools-resources/workplace-health/mental-health/index.html; for coping with job stress and building resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic for health care personnel and first responders: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/mental-health-healthcare.html; and similar resources for other employees: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/mental-health-non-healthcare.html. As trusted health professionals, nurses can model resilience, share resources on mental health and stress management, and advocate for supportive work environments that promote work–life fit.
