No Avoiding Recession Anxiety

There’s a lot of recession anxiety alright. Millions have lost their jobs — and their health insurance, houses, and children’s college education. Big name businesses are closing. Employment is hard to come by.

According to the New York Times, recession anxiety isn’t limited to employees who’ve already been knocked off their feet. People with jobs are having panic attacks. They aren’t able to get a good night’s sleep. They’re losing weight because they can’t eat. They’re obsessed with the deluge of economic news. They taking psychiatric medication and getting therapy. There’s more marital strife, domestic violence and substance abuse. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline reported 10,000 more calls than usual in January.

Recession anxiety knows no age limitations. It affects older, retired folks who don’t know if they have enough put back to make it or who are contemplating returning to the workforce. It affects young employees who are having to move back in with their parents because their hours have been cut and they live in fear of seeing a pink slip every day. It affects the children of employees who see the anxiety in their parents and begin having nightmares and acting out at school.

Employees are reluctant to seek counseling during working hours or use their employers’ EAPs, because they fear their employers will regard them as unstable or think they’re not working hard enough. Human resources professionals have a lot on their plates right now. Recession anxiety should be added. Productive, efficient work isn’t usually done by stressed-out employees. It just may be time for a non-threatening, team-building meeting.

1. 

   E. says:

   April 14, 2009 at 2:18 pm

   Excellent post John. E.