How might COVID-19 affect teams of key workers?

In this step, we’re going to hear from Carol again and explore some key issues from her story. We’ll hear from Professor Neil Greenberg on moral injury and more from Dr Robyn Vesey on healthcare teams adapting during COVID-19.

While we are focusing on teams of healthcare workers in this step, the content will be applicable to carers, other key workers, and teams more generally.

Carol’s story

Download Transcript of Carol’s Story (right click or tap/hold and open in new tab)

A major theme in Carol’s story is managing change. Keep in mind that most change during COVID-19 has not been planned and so most teams have had to be rapidly responsive.

The changes that Carol mentions relate to many factors that we know impact teams and well-being at work, particularly through work-related stress.

• Role clarity – How clear we are on our role and responsibilities, including in relation to other colleagues. This can be deeply affected by emergency redeployment and unplanned changes.

• Physical environment and working conditions – These have shifted rapidly as workers are moved to new environments with new equipment, and must wear uncomfortable personal protective equipment which hinders basic communication.

• Relationships with colleagues – Existing networks and relationships have been disrupted as people work with new colleagues and managers. Relationships with managers are particularly important to well-being.

For example, Carol’s attitudes towards her colleagues, needing to focus on their jobs and not having space to talk and think about their own health and wellbeing, may make it difficult for a colleague to start a conversation with her, even though it is clear that Carol cares about her team.

• Team workload – The increased amount of work for many people brings extra stress, while deadlines and targets might be even more pressurised. This also relates to staff sickness and shortages
• Teamwork and processes – Once again, changing personnel and practices make it hard to establish and improve team functioning.

Download Transcript of Neil Greenberg (right click or tap/hold and open in new tab)

Anxiety and emotions in teams

Download Transcript of Robyn Vasey on Teams (right click or tap/hold and open in new tab) Robyn covers material here on anxiety in teams, building on the factors in workplace stress outlined above.

It is important to note that Robyn gave positive examples of how teams may experience the impact of COVID-19. Solidarity and taking collective actions are positive effects of teams being tested. After all, humans have an extensive history of overcoming considerable challenges through collective action.