Vaccination conflicts in many companies
Irritation, decreased performance, psychosomatic complaints but also addictions: All of these are visible signs that the coronavirus pandemic is increasingly affecting employees in companies, says industrial psychologist Birgit Artner. But there are also more and more conflicts between vaccinated and unvaccinated people: “We are eyeing the situation with concern”. The fronts between vaccinated and unvaccinated people have now hardened several times, so that the issue is becoming chronic and is reflected in a worse working atmosphere.
Companies often find it difficult to find a satisfactory solution, and then the conflict continues to smolder and the escalation level increases. Both managers and individual employees of companies contact the occupational health service due to the stress.
“The topic is very tense and emotional, we’re trying to bring it down to a factual level,” Artner adds. instead of continuing to crowd into camps.
Work psychologist: “The people are exhausted”
The problem of exhaustion as a result of the pandemic is now a problem across many industries. The long duration with at times many restrictions, for many over a long period of time the double burden of home office and childcare because of closed schools: That leaves its mark. “The people are exhausted,” said Artner. And right now, many unvaccinated people are also stressed because of the difficulties in getting the results of the PCR tests on time.
increase in psychosomatic illnesses
The consequences of these loads would be presented in different ways. An increased number of psychosomatic illnesses was noted, ranging from migraines to tinnitus or stomach problems to eating disorders. A drop in performance can also be observed. “Employees who die very reliably are suddenly prone to errors or are often on short-term sick leave.” Others would lose their “thick skin” and are quickly irritated. Depression and addictions have also increased. The situation is made more difficult because there are long waiting times for the treatment of mental illnesses.
The occupational health service offers training courses for managers. “But one must not forget that. Of course the executives are also affected by the pandemic and, moreover, are often in the difficult sandwich position between management and employees.” If possible, executives should try to get out of pressure and avoid difficult circumstances change.