What is the “the perfect storm?” In the movie, The Perfect Storm (released in 2000), the worst possible storm predictions came together to create a tempest in the North Atlantic Ocean. The fishing boat in the midst of it did not have a chance.
There may be another type of perfect storm brewing in our county’s workforce. News articles and employers are talking about the “Great Resignation.” Where did our workers go and why did they leave?
Research about the Great Resignation suggests as many as 24 million workers left their jobs over a six-month period last year. The causes were typical workforce challenges such as low pay, no advancement potential, disrespectful employers, and child care issues.
But, research often fails to fold-in effects of the pandemic which as of April 11, 2022 has been directly related to at least 985,826 deaths. In her article in the Chicago Tribune earlier this month, author Meghan Riordan Jarvis questions, as do I, why aren’t we talking about the role of grief and loss in the Great Resignation? I would offer the opinion that the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, combined with the workers’ sense of being disrespected and with no future opportunity in sight combined to form the Perfect Storm Revisited.
Nine kinship-related people on average are left to mourn death losses. At the end of 2021, when the Great Resignation was said to be heating-up, nearly 825,000 people had died from COVID causes. That number generated nearly 7.5 million people mourning losses. Would you feel like going back to work at a place you did not enjoy, at low pay, and with no advancement potential after your spouse, child, parent or grandparent had died? We again see much of our country ignoring the importance of mourning losses.
On the other hand, Fortune magazine’s April/May, 2022 issue ran a story on the Best Companies To Work For. Profiles from some of these employers specifically mentioned “deepening their commitment to support its workers during the pandemic.” Many cited paying full salaries during pandemic layoffs and offering free physical, psychological, and financial wellness programs. Others ensured access to mental health providers during the workday. And some of these profiles indicated the employers grew their workforce during the pandemic.
Fortunately, pending another surge, the virus appears to be losing its impact on infections and hospitalizations. However, we cannot overlook the many ways in which our country has changed due to the impact of COVID. All of us need attentiveness to mourn to increase the physical, psychological, and spiritual health of the U.S. Addressing the needs of mourners will go a long way heal our workplace needs.
For more information about ways to turn grief into mourning please see the following posts here at the At Peace blog and older posts: Sore Souls and Hurting Hearts, Today’s Anger, What Just Happened?, Dia De Los Muertos, Finding Meaning, and Healing Tears.Wishing and praying for your good health and Peace!
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