Struggling to Work During COVID-19? Here's What to Do
Struggling to Work During COVID-19? Here's What to Do
Struggling to Work During COVID-19? Here's What to Do
By Leah Campbell
June 19, 2020
Summary
Research has found that symptoms of depression, for example, can negatively impact work performance and cognitive ability.
If your mental health has been impacted by the current crisis, you could be struggling to focus and get your job done.
That's why Thornton says it's important to pay attention to how you're currently responding to the work you're doing.
"Is there work that is triggering your mental health because it's always bothered you, but with the heightened stress, you have an even stronger reaction to it?".
Understanding which aspects of your work may be increasing your stress levels right now will allow you to identify what you might actually need to make it better.
Flexible work hours can be especially helpful for employees tasked with managing full households quarantined together, as well as those who feel overwhelmed and may need to take more breaks.
Decide Who to Talk To. How big of a company do you work for? What's your relationship with your manager like? Do you have a dedicated HR team you've interacted with in the past on personal matters? Your answers to all of these questions, combined with your understanding of your company's culture, will play a role in deciding who you should approach with your request for accommodations.
"Being clear on your own needs will make the conversation flow better. If you believe you can continue to work successfully with some modifications, bring those ideas to the conversation."
You might say:, "I've been experiencing a great deal of anxiety and it's been making it difficult for me to concentrate during the day when I'm also now tasked with caring for my kids. Would it be possible for me to adopt a flexible work schedule for the time being so that I can focus on work when I have the ability to do so? I've sketched out an initial plan for what it could look like."
If you haven't been diagnosed in the past, but you feel strongly that you're struggling with your mental health now, a call to your family physician or a virtual appointment with a therapist can help you to get the documentation you'll need to ensure you're protected.
Reference
Campbell, L. (2020, June 19). How to Talk to Your Boss If You're Struggling to Do Work Right Now. Retrieved July 26, 2020, from https://www.themuse.com/advice/mental-health-coronavirus-talk-to-boss