The ways in which our lives have changed as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic are unprecedented. We now have to contend with different lifestyles, the so called “new normal”. For the sake of our health, we have had to stay at home, keep washing our hands, socially distance and wear masks in public spaces. We have had to deal with grief in instances where we have lost our loved ones to the pandemic. At present no one knows experts included how long this pandemic is going to last. This state of uncertainty has impacted on different facets of our lives..
Economies all over the world have been hit so hard such that many companies have been forced to close down or scale down their operations. This comes with serious implications on the job security of the employees. Millions of people are now having to deal with the sudden loss of jobs, livelihoods and incomes. Surely there is nothing as painful as suddenly losing your job or your source of income. After death and divorce, job loss ranks high amongst the losses that are bound to send us into deep grief. It is not enough consolation that I am not the only one but one among millions that have lost their jobs. Loss is personal and no one will really understand what I am are going through or what it means to me.
My job, my status
We live in a world that is fixated on status symbols and a job is one of them. Job titles themselves are status symbols for example,CEO, Doctor, Manager,Teacher etc. Status is sometimes measured by the type job one has. And now economies are taking a pummelling with unemployment figures skyrocketing as a result of the pandemic. Having a job at time like this sounds like an achievement. It means I am still in the game and I matter to my employer. This gives also gives me a sense of belonging. Well, who does not want to belong to the club? When that job is suddenly taken away, I am bound to feel rejected, it also leaves me feeling naked and vulnerable as I have been stripped of my status.
My job, my identity
My job is an extension of my identity. Not surprising, as we spend a huge chunk of our time at work. Sometimes the lines between work and home are blurred because often times bring our work home. How about now, with the work from home phenomenon? We have also invested in some emotional connections or friendships with the people we work with. Otherwise why would we break down when we say good-bye to our colleagues when we resign or retire? Naturally we identify with those those that think like us as we share the organisational vision. We are proud to find acceptance and to be part of that tribe. When I lose my job, it feels like an amputation, a part of me has been severed. No longer sure of myself, I begin to feel inadequate and my self esteem takes a nose dive.
My job, my security
They say money is what makes the world go round, what if I do not have it? What kind of person am I without money? Having a job makes us feel secure in almost every sense. Financial security brings psychological security and other forms of security there after. Sometimes it does not matter the kind of job one has as long as one is doing something to get an income. We are able to trade our currency in exchange for something that can improve the quality of our life. Isn’t what we yearn for, the good life? Basically being able to put food on the table, a roof over our head, clothing, to put our children through school and be able to afford health services . Imagine a situation where that security is taken away and we are exposed to the whims of this monetised world.
My job, my life
There are those of us that who live for our jobs whom others would describe as workaholics. The job gives us a kind of high where nothing beats that relationship. We eat, sleep and breathe our jobs. Losing that job would feel like we have been taken off the life machine. It can mean the end of the world and it is no wonder some people become suicidal. Nothing is worth living for anymore.
We are human after all
In his Hierarchy of Needs theory of motivation Abraham Maslow proposed 5 categories of human needs that dictate an individual’s behaviour. Grouped into 3 broad areas, there are the basic needs where in order survive we need things like food, shelter, safety and security. Next is the psychological, where we need a sense of belonging, love and esteem. The third area is self-fulfilment where achieving one’s full potential as a way of self actualising. What does this have to do my job? My job can make me realise a lot of the above mentioned things if not all of them. My job meets my human needs after all. And if it is taken away, who and what do I become?
Grief and loss
For those of us who have lost our jobs as a result of the pandemic or something not even related, it is really a painful experience. I personally have been there. It is natural just as it is personal to grieve over the loss. The Kubler-Ross model (1969), outlines the 5 stages of grief that we are likely to go through after a loss. These are denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Let it be noted that loss is personal and how we grieve is also personal.
Denial makes it difficult for you to accept the loss. It is a buffer that stands between the painful reality and how you want things to be. You do not want to accept that you no longer have a job and may even choose not announce it to significant others hoping things will miraculously change. As denial fades you become angry at everyone,yours bosses, yourself and even God. You may even blame yourself for not seeing the signs earlier, for staying too long in that job, for being too dedicated to the job. You may be angry at the company for letting you down. After all did I not give my all to the organisation?
Bargaining is more like negotiating to have your job back or for the situation return to what it was before the loss. You might even negotiate with your employer, for example you may be prepared to take a salary cut as long as you still have your job. You may even negotiate with God to help you land another job as soon as yesterday. There is a family to provide for, bills to pay and you desperately job hunt. If things do not look up especially in situations like this pandemic era, the futility of it makes you feel helpless and you sink into despair. You may begin to think and act like a victim. After all, it is all because of the Coronavirus and the ungrateful employer. Right? At that point a lot of people sink into depression and some may become suicidal.
Acceptance is when you acknowledge that things have changed and you can no longer regain that which is lost. This means making plans for the future with a lot more clarity and not allowing the current situation to deter you.
When all is said and done, clearly a job is not just about financial rewards, there are also psychological benefits. In times of loss we need support systems to help us cope with grief. Let us be receptive to support from family and friends or well wishers. Counselling is also important, it can assist us to deal with grief and plan the way forward with clarity. My personal experiences have taught me that is not easy to be on the receiving end if you are used to being financially independent and to being mentally strong. This does not mean you are charity nor a cabbage case, rather it is the times that are challenging. We all go through such in different ways but, they will pass. Be open to support and assistance and when your turn comes where you are found strong, may you pay it forward.