Ss53-01 the Covid Work Culture — Talking to Each Other Through Our Confusion and Caring

Introduction The COVID pandemic challenged us not only physically, but in all aspects of who we are and how we work. This placed an added emotional and psychological layer on workers and their work culture. Materials and Methods To understand our response to COVID, we can use the same methods we use to reflect on ourselves in life, including our life at work. Three perspectives are explored: (1) the whole person and how each worker responded physically, emotionally, and psychologically to the pandemic; (2) the uncertainties created by a constantly changing work environment; and (3) workers’ need for continual, open conversations to meet their concerns. Results The pandemic revealed how key values and emotions underly our good work, commitment, and motivation. The potential traps within our responses also became evident — the limits of digital-only communication, a work culture of ‘just-do-what-I-tell-you’, and people’s emotional multitasking and the distractions it created. This pandemic pulled people in many directions. It was not simply a matter of focusing on work. For many, that was not possible due to the fear and stress that accompanied these uncertain times — fear of COVID itself, job insecurity, economic uncertainties, and a potential inability to take care of one’s family. And through all of this, workers supported each other with compassion and caring. Conclusions During these scary times, each of us reacted as a whole person, physically, emotionally, and culturally. Regardless of which media we used to respond to the pandemic, this was the human background we all shared as we worked.