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5. Management of employees (in crisis)

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Return to September 2020 update

Length:1.8 min read; 391 words

Note: The following paragraphs summarize the category of Health and Safety (H&S) observed in September. More information about the specific category from September (and previous months) can be found in the downloaded report(s).The number in square brackets (e.g., [X]) refers to a reference where the reader can find more information about a specific statement.  The references can be found in the References list below, Systematized References page or in the downloaded report.

H&S has been discussed 20% less in September than in August in line with the overall trend of communication decrease/ dilution as we know more about the virus and wait for the vaccine and pandemic fatigue. The September discussion focused on symptoms [4][5][6][7][8], vaccine race [10][11][12], drugs [13][6][14], flu season [15], screening and testing strategies [2][3][16][17] [18], masks [19][20][21] [22][23], adequacy of specific COVID-19 response and measures [24][5][25][26][27][28][29][30], return to school/college policies [31], the impact of climate change events on H&S [32][33], considering travel as an essential human activity [78][79], etc. The U.S. contractors continue to report OSHA issuing citations to the companies failing to maintain social distancing when possible; failing to require face coverings when social distancing cannot be maintained; not having a COVID-19 preparedness and response plan; failing to designate a COVID-19 workplace supervisor; not training employees on COVID-19; and failing to maintain/retain records of daily health screenings. [166] A H&S standard addressing COVID-19 on the U.S. national level is yet to be developed.

Mental health crisis deepens. CDC in the U.S. reports over 40% of adults reported experiencing mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression. [36][37] Suicide prevention is more discussed – “be compassionate”. [38] Quarantine, unemployment rates, and uncertainties in general are the major causes. Recovered hospitalized patients continue to fear the virus. [39] Reopening and workplace re-entry are marked with fears of virus contagion.[40][41] We feel powerless over so many things in the pandemic. But learning to practice better self-control can help. [42] Health, wellness and productivity in buildings [43][44][45][46][47][48] continues to be discussed as in previous four months. If employees are anxious, reactive and burned out, every business metric, from productivity to attrition to customer success, will be affected. That’s why people need to be at the center of whatever re-entry plans or digital transformation strategies companies are formulating right now. Arianna Huffington highlights that companies need to prioritize wellbeing and connection to succeed in the next normal: not working “on” 24/7, ability to say Good bye to work and have adequate sleep, at least one minute breaks between meetings – to prevent stress from being cumulative; meaningful connection with friends and family;  when we don’t feel like we have to choose between being successful in our jobs and happy in our lives; when we’re able to find moments to pause to think, explore, follow our passions or experience joy. [36] Mental health improves with daily exercise, breathing exercise, meditation. [49][50][51][52][53] Find your silver lining in the pandemic. [154]

Previous August Category Summary

References

[4] M. Nisen and E. He, “Covid-19 Long-Haulers: Some Patients Need Very Long-Term Care”, Bloomberg.com.
[6] “Covid Grows Less Deadly as Doctors Gain Practice, Drugs Improve”, Bloomberg.com, Sep. 19, 2020.
[7] “Some good news on covid-19”, The Economist, Sep. 09, 2020.
[8] “Covid Doctors Find a Turning Point in Life-Threatening Cases”, Bloomberg.com, Sep. 24, 2020.
[12] “U.S. Cases Rise 0.7%; Death Toll Exceeds 200,000: Virus Update”, Bloomberg.com, Sep. 21, 2020.
[13] “Shake diet offered on NHS to fight type 2 diabetes”, BBC News, Sep. 01, 2020.
[14] “Antibody Cocktail Shows Promise; NYC Positivity Up: Virus Update”, Bloomberg.com, Sep. 28, 2020.
[16] B. P. M. and G. W. CNN, “United Airlines to offer Covid-19 testing for some passengers”, CNN. (accessed Nov. 25, 2020)
[18] S. University, “Low-cost coronavirus testing, surveillance”, Stanford News, Sep. 30, 2020. (accessed Nov. 25, 2020)
[19] “OSHA: N95 masks protect against the coronavirus”, Construction Dive. (accessed Nov. 13, 2020)
[20] “LG creates face mask with battery-powered air purification system”, Dezeen, Sep. 02, 2020. (accessed Nov. 23, 2020)
[22] “Why the economic value of a face mask is $56.14”, The Economist, Aug. 22, 2020.
[24] “Lendlease unveils restroom pod for vertical jobsites”, Construction Dive. (accessed Nov. 22, 2020)
[26] “CDC Removes Guidance About Airborne Virus Spread From Website”, Bloomberg.com, Sep. 21, 2020.
[28] M. Johnson, J. Burn-Murdoch, and D. Ghiglione, “Italy’s harsh lessons help keep second wave at bay”, Sep. 23, 2020. (accessed Nov. 25, 2020)
[29] “Madrid’s Hospitals Show Pandemic’s Stranglehold on Europe”, Bloomberg.com, Sep. 24, 2020.
[31] “Coronavirus doctor’s diary: Will universities be able to avoid spreading the virus?”, BBC News, Sep. 12, 2020.
[32] “Wildfires force shut down of construction sites in the West”, Construction Dive. (accessed Nov. 19, 2020)
[37] “Coronavirus: What is anxiety and how can I get help?”, BBC News, Sep. 08, 2020.
[38] “Suicide prevention in construction more important than ever”, Construction Dive. (accessed Nov. 18, 2020)
[39] “Recovering from Covid-19 in India: ‘I can’t get the images out of my head’”, BBC News, Sep. 15, 2020.
[41] R. Feintzeig, “Is It OK to Reveal Your Anxiety or Depression to Your Boss?”, Wall Street Journal, Sep. 13, 2020.
[42] E. Bernstein, “The One Thing You Can Control Right Now: Yourself”, Wall Street Journal, Aug. 26, 2020.
[46] “How CRE Think Workspace Will Be Repurposed Post-COVID”, Work Design Magazine, Oct. 08, 2020. (accessed Nov. 10, 2020)
[47] B. Fox, M. Weiss, and E. Weckerling, “2020 Next Work Environment Competition Winners”, Work Design Magazine, Sep. 09, 2020. (accessed Nov. 10, 2020)
[52] “Andrew Huberman: How stress affects the mind — and how to relieve it”, Stanford School of Engineering, Sep. 18, 2020. (accessed Nov. 25, 2020)
[53] “How to reduce the mental trauma of covid-19”, The Economist, Aug. 29, 2020.
[78] “Why travel should be considered an essential human activity”, Travel, Sep. 08, 2020. (accessed Nov. 23, 2020)
[79] J. C. CNN, “Half a million US kids diagnosed with Covid-19”, CNN. (accessed Nov. 24, 2020)