It’s Time For Employers To Deepen Their Understanding Of Trauma
The conversation about trauma in the workplace has evolved considerably in the past year. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and protests against racism that defined 2020, the issue of trauma was already top-of-mind for many employers, especially those that seek to hire veterans or those located in places at high risk for natural disasters. The events of the past year have deepened society’s understanding of trauma and broadened the view of how many people are coping with the impacts of trauma on a daily basis – even if not officially diagnosed with or being treated for Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS). It is important for employers to understand the dimensions of trauma, including how both major traumatic events and daily “micro-traumas” impact an employee’s behavior and performance; how past childhood trauma might be triggering certain mental health challenges in adulthood; and the ways in which the workplace itself could be inducing or exacerbating emotional trauma.