Returning to Work After COVID-19 while Repairing Racial Tensions

When it comes to returning to work after COVID-19 while repairing racial tensions, each individual will go through a different process and be at a different stage. Depending on their specific situation and their working conditions, they will deal with anxiety in their own way. There are several techniques and actions they can follow in order to feel more comfortable in their workspace.

Essential workers have continued to work throughout the pandemic and have, sadly enough, been our testers on what it is going to be like and feel like to be back in people’s respective workspaces with their colleagues. It is unfortunate they have not had enough protection as some of the other employees had as they slowly started returning to work. We have to work towards keeping people safe while doing their job and protecting the loves ones they go home to.

I believe we need to utilize essential workers to help employers and employees retuning to work soon to learn from their experiences. By doing this, we would be able to minimize the risk of being in contact with someone infected with the virus. One way to do this is interviewing essential workers and the first people who go back to their office to gain insight on their experiences. Jobs should do everything they possibly can to ensure precautions are set up because this will be our try at something new.

If you are dealing with anxiety, I strongly encourage you to pay attention to the signs, symptoms, and triggers. If you feel comfortable with disclosing your feelings, it would be good for you to discuss them with your employers or managers. Because we have seen an increase on people’s anxiety, now is the time to speak up and make sure your needs are met and your limitations taken into consideration. It is very important to exercise our rights and express our needs in times like this.

There are a vast number of people of color who go unnoticed. The invisibility of other races is far too common and leaves a lot of perspectives from being included in conversations about diversity and inclusion. It is an interesting time to see what people will need. The employer has to be aware of the challenges and make social support and mental health services available for all employees to take advantage of. And the employees need to do their part by not staying silent if they are in distress or if going back to work presents limitations to their being able to function. By having an open and honest communication, it will be easier for everyone to feel more comfortable when returning to work after COVID-19 and while repairing racial tensions.

Asha Tarry is an author, an award-winning community mental health advocate, psychotherapist, and certified life coach. The goal of Tarry’s work is to enlighten, educate, and create safe spaces for everyone, from children to the elderly to live more emotionally empowered and mentally resilient. 

Visit https://lifecoachasha.com/ for more information.
Follow Asha Tarry on Instagram at @ashatarrymental