b'HEALTH & WELLNESSFor those who, like their clients, have been working outside theirlevel. Slowly move back into a situation where youre spending home country, the stresses have been especially severe. Last May,more time with your peers.insurance company William Russell surveyed over 1,100 expatri-ates worldwide about the pandemics effects on their mentalIts also important to remember that while a high proportion of health. More than a third said their mental health has worsened,the Canadian population has been vaccinated, most other parts and 44 per cent wished they could have spent the pandemic inof the world are only beginning to inoculate their citizens, and their home country. people in other countries will be facing very different experiences to those in North America. Its critical to understand how people NEW ANXIETY are feeling [in other places], Moss says. There are all kinds of Now, as some countries relax restrictions (and some tighten themthings that we can learn out of the pandemic; there are new levels again in the wake of virus resurgences), a different kind of anxietyof empathy. Theres an important role that the employer hasthreatens. New research from Workplace Strategies for Mentalto play. Health shows that 46 per cent of Canadians working from homeOtherwise, warns Moss, youre going to be seeing attrition and are anxious about the threat of the virus if and when they returntheres going to be a backlash. to the workplace. The organization advises companies to acknow-ledge that while returning to the workplace can be exciting for some, it may be stressful for others. Communicating the steps towards reopening clearly and giving employees opportunities to express their concerns can help ease the transition. HAVE YOUR SAYThis is not only about helping workers; it may be critical forWhat do you feel are the key stressors thatemployers as well, says speaker, author and expert in workplace wellness Jennifer Moss, whose book The Burnout Epidemic: The Risemobility professionals have experiencedof Chronic Stress and How We Can Fix It is being released early because of COVID-19?this fall.CERC would love to hear your views on this important and The Canadian Centre for the Purpose of the Corporation hasevolving topic. Let us know at perspectives@cerc.ca. identified that about 42 per cent of the Canadian workforce is considering leaving their jobs, she says. For the employers, itsPlease include Mental Health in the subject line.really significant that they understand where theyre at, that it isnt just a transactional relationship with employees anymore. Were in a situation where there is potentially more powerfor employees.Moss says that many workers were unhappy during the pandemic, feeling their needs were being overlooked. Many moved mountains to solve problems and care for their clients and colleagues, but never felt a corresponding return of support from their employers.For people who work at home, we added 48 extra minutes to the day in North America, and some people were adding two to three extra hours per day. But employers were looking at this as work as usual, explains Moss. I believe theres going to be a big shift as people return to work, and if employers dont make wellness a big part of table stakes and if they dont understand these fears of psychological and physical safety in returning to work, its all going to be factored in.While some workers will be fearful about increasing their exposure to COVID-19, others will have come to enjoy the new way of working and will be sorry to go back to old routines. Employers are missing this realization that after 20 months of a pattern being developed, your brains are different, says Moss. You cant just break a pattern like that in a day.Effective two-way communication, and not just another workplace yoga class, will be key to retaining engaged employees. The organizations that Ive spoken to that are doing really well are opening up the floor to questions, says Moss. We need to do more active listening and leading with empathy. Managers should model behaviour. [They shouldnt] email on vacations. Managers [should] actually highlight and celebrate when they take time off.For employees who feel apprehensive, Moss suggests taking time to pinpoint the source of their worries. If you are feeling social anxiety, grab your trusted colleagues and meet them on a social Fall 2021PERSPECTIVES25'