A survival guide for managing workplace COVID discussions

Well, here we are, 18+ months into dealing with COVID-19. Unfortunately, many challenges remain.

And additional challenges have developed – not only dealing with the actual physical repercussions of the virus – but now having to manage a wide range (and varying intensities) of opinions about COVID-related issues: masks, the vaccine, mandates, safety of our children, and new virus variants to name a few.

The tension is thick in the air – within the culture at large, on the airwaves and internet, within families, and within workplaces.

A number of factors combine to create a significant sense of anxiety for most of us:

So, the tension we feel is justified.

What to do?

The behavioral options for responding to the angst we feel are almost as numerous as individual personalities. But there are five general responses that encompass the way most people react.

1. Not interacting with others (at all). If you don’t talk with others, you aren’t going to talk about the issues affecting your daily life. Problem: this isn’t a realistic option over time.