COVID-19 Recovery

Learning from previous public health events

icare has produced a research report on the effects of public health events (epidemics and pandemics) on workforce sustainability. A literature review was conducted to find out what we can learn from the workplace situations of previous pandemics and epidemics.

The literature review analysed 70 research papers from the past 100 years of epidemics, pandemics, and crisis situations. The report provides insights into psychological wellbeing and trends in consequences of health, social, economic and policy impacts.

Phases of recovery

Key findings of the review show that the recovery process will be cyclical and will occur in phases:

• pre-return to workplace (restrictions in place)
• immediate return to the workplace (restrictions lifted)
• mid-term (three to six months post-event)
• long term (one year post-event).

Pre-return to the workplace (phase 1)

The focus of this phase is for planning and preparedness specifically addressing employee perceived risk and readiness to return to the workplace.

The COVID-19 Employer Toolkit Part 1, defining and transitioning the workforce following a pandemic, is available to assist you with implementing, and communicating to employees regarding their safety, for example cleaning practices, social distancing, support services, and relevant policies.

What this may look like for you

You have employees who are not in the workplace and you are preparing to return your employees to the workplace.

Return to the workplace (phase 2)

The focus of this phase is for protecting employees who have returned to the workplace and supporting the ongoing monitoring of health and safety practices.

The COVID-19 Employer Toolkit Part 2, supporting employees within the workplace, is available to assist you with identifying employee and business operational needs which may have been impacted by COVID-19, for example taking time to check in and acknowledging employees' experiences, and good communication strategies.

What this may look like for you

You have employees who have returned to the workplace. This may include a mix of employees working in your workplace or working from home.

Short-term recovery (phase 3)

The focus of this phase is identifying and managing the short-term impacts of COVID-19 on your employees' health and wellbeing.

The COVID-19 Employer Toolkit Part 3, supporting employers: managing the short term effects of a pandemic recovery, will be developed to assist you in reflecting and re-evaluating your traditional ways of working, and increase your awareness of the enduring impacts of COVID-19 to support your business recovery, for example psychological, financial and logistical.

What this may look like for you

You have employees who have returned to the workplace for a period of three to six months. This may include a mix of employees working in your workplace or working from home.

Long-term recovery (phase 4)

The focus of this phase is identifying and managing the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on your employees' health and wellbeing.

The COVID-19 Employer Toolkit Part 4, supporting employers: the continued support and monitoring of employee health and wellbeing following a pandemic, will be developed to raise awareness of the potential ongoing impacts for employees and provide understanding of the effects within the workplace, for example signs and symptoms of psychological distress including burnout, depression, anxiety, PTSD, hopelessness.

What this may look like for you

You have employees who have returned to the workplace for over six months. This may include a mix of employees working in your workplace or working from home.

Supporting employees working from home