Impacts of Covid-19 Lockdowns increase stress and diminish Happiness at work

Introduction

As I am a Dutchman, I would like to address the amazing results of a questionnaire recently held about the Corona crisis in the Netherlands. I do this as surely these issues will be representative of many other parts of the world. So, please read on and learn about this surprising information.corona lockdown

More than half of the Dutch people feel stressed during the second lockdown and 38 percent experience this more than during the first. Almost half of the respondents indicate that the hopelessness of the corona situation is the biggest culprit for this. The lack of social contacts, few ways to relax, work pressure, and worries about our jobs and income break us down.

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Vaccinations started

The big vaccinations may have started, but it has now become clear that we are far from getting rid of the corona. Those who can work at home, children are not allowed to go to school, restaurants, cinemas and non-crucial shops remain closed and after nine o’clock in the evening, you are no longer allowed to go out on the street. That this destroys many people is shown by the representative survey of more than 1,000 respondents that a famous Dutch professional magazine called Intermediair conducted at the beginning of this year 2021.

Some survey results

higher stress levelSome 52 percent of respondents experienced a lot of stress during the second lockdown. On a scale from 1 to 10, more than half give the stress level a 6 or higher. This percentage is higher among 25 to 44-year-olds than among 45 to 65-year-olds. And where we already found the first lockdown stressful, 38 percent now experience this even more.

It is quite conceivable that we now experience more stress than at the start of the corona crisis. In the first period, everything was still exciting and new. You started working on it together. Everyone also hoped it would be more ephemeral. There was a feeling that we have to go through this for a while, then there will be a vaccine and we can go on holiday again. We have also done the latter, resulting in a second wave. Corona came back, but harder and worse. 

Disillusioned

In short, we have become disillusioned. The arrival of the vaccine took longer than hoped, the vaccination as well and there are now British, South African, and Brazilian variants that are rampant. People now think: it is all a lot of hassle. We have done our best, dutifully followed all kinds of measures, and are not being rewarded for them. In fact, it will only get worse. 

The hopelessness of the situation is therefore the greatest stress factor for most (49 percent indicate this). Furthermore, social isolation (46 percent) and no ways to relax (44 percent) are often mentioned. In addition, there is the fear of getting sick, losing loved ones, and all kinds of worries about work. 36 percent of parents with children living at home indicate that the combination of work and care results in less happiness at work.

Employers change attitudecompanies struggling

Where employers previously understood the situation, this is now also declining, according to the research results. And that also makes sense. It’s also starting to break them up. The misery continues for employers as well. Many companies are struggling to keep their heads above water. They want to return to normal and preferably as soon as possible. In the beginning, the attitude was: we take it easy. Now it is more: employees just have to do their job. They can’t keep petting everyone on their backs. 


Burnout figures

Still, the high degree of stress among many Dutch people is something that worries some people. The burnout rates are already high (in 2017, 15 percent of women and 9 percent of men indicated that they had ever interrupted work due to burnout complaints) and this could take an even greater flight due to corona. 28 percent of the respondents who give the stress level a 6 or higher approached someone (for example a general practitioner, psychologist, company doctor, or employer) to discuss this. You can say: the situation will pass, we will be vaccinated and then we can go on vacation again. But the people who feel stressed do have a serious problem. The fact that more than a quarter also spoke to an expert says something about the seriousness of the complaints. 

Happiness at work

job satisfactionJob satisfaction also decreased during the second lockdown compared to the first: on average, there was a score of 6.7. 25 percent indicate that they now experience less job satisfaction than during the first lockdown; 12 percent actually enjoy their work more. The latter group is interesting. So there are also people who have more job satisfaction. Because the activities have changed or because they find fewer social contacts a relief. And also remember: masses of people are bullied at work. If you can then do your work from home, that’s great. 

Pressure is up

One third now thinks the work pressure is higher than during the first lockdown and therefore experiences less job satisfaction. A third of the respondents who experience less happiness at work indicates that this is because the workload has increased. Worries about the job (22 percent) and less understanding of the employer (20 percent) are also frequently mentioned reasons.

On the upsideteamwork better

We have, however, undergone a development compared to the first lockdown: a fifth of the workers think that the cooperation with colleagues is now more smooth and we are also generally satisfied with the employer: he receives an average score of 7.2. 

How are things in your country? Let us know in the comment section below.

Less trust

Yet 7 percent of the respondents now trust the employer less than during the first lockdown. Not so strange. Many companies are not doing well. There may be some redundancies and that creates uncertainty. Are you the one who flies out or your colleague? All these kinds of things diminish confidence in your boss. 

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Internet marketer

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Most popular program

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2 thoughts on “Impacts of Covid-19 Lockdowns increase stress and diminish Happiness at work”

  1. Hello there! This is an interesting read and I totally agree with some of the results you pointed out. Stress has been high especially during COVID-19 when it comes to work BOTH for the employee and employer. Not only does it seem like it is difficult to be hired for a job but even after as well when one is hired. Like you mentioned, many also started to seek after potential work online but may be wary of being scammed. I was one of those victims. But fortunately, I happen to run into the same opportunity that you were suggesting. It has been a great experience so far, but have yet to see some income streaming in.

    Reply
    • WA and having your own website is like starting a new business, which will take time and effort. When we start here at WA we know that, as they will tell you from the very beginning. No fairy tales about overnight riches and the like. If you want honest money then WA is the way.

      Reply

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