Whether or not you’ve had to cut back on staff, almost everyone is feeling the strain and has been touched in some way by the economic downturn. Business Week recently conducted an interactive case study on Cigna’s Employee Assistance Program, which helps reduce worker anxiety and increase productivity in these tough times.
In particular, the company has noticed an uptick in requests for seminars related to survivor guilt, which many feel when co-workers (not to mention friends and family) lose their jobs. In his positive analysis of the company, business consultant Nick Tasler offers up ways to mitigate the damage for those who are lucky to have jobs, but don’t feel great about it:
- Get comfortable with your own emotions: Tasler says that if you want to provide effective support to your staff, you need to first get a grip on how you feel.
- Set a positive tone: Exude confidence, but don’t fake it. Tasler suggests taking a few minutes at the start of the day to think of things that are going right, jot them down (or set an electronic reminder on your email calendar). If you glance at these throughout the day, you can keep yourself from dwelling on the negative and spreading anxiety.
- Show that you care: While there’s a tendency to focus on the task at hand and not back down in the face of a challenge, that positive trait can sometimes alienate those around you. Acknowledge that you understand what employees are going through and it will help to calm them.
Comments