A Review Study on the impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health in the workplace and on working people

Abstract

Introduction: The Coronavirus Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected many social organisations with the workplace being amongst those most affected. Organisation faced the challenge of continued productivity during a global health crisis. Employees have shown signs of fatigue caused by living with the persistent fear and anxiety of falling sick and this which can consequently resulted in a reduction in productivity and frequently reduced income. Measures that were introduced to keep people safe such as social distancing, lockdowns, new working styles together with necessary lifestyle changes such as social isolation have reinforced feelings of uncertainty and fear amongst the workforce. These factors have influenced the mental health of workers and will continue to do so as society reorganise and make the changes necessary to accommodate new systems. Purpose: The purpose of this literature review is to conceptualize the psychological aspects linked to workplace factors following the rise of COVID-19 to epidemic proportions and in order to address upcoming psychological critical issues in the workplaces. Method: This literature study proceeded a search engine using Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus, using keywords SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 pandemic, occupational health and safety, mental health, psychological disorders, COVID 19 and working people, workplace organization and selected 30 articles out of thirty 20 articles were analyzed corroding to researchers need. The literature information is further narrated and draws on insights of the researcher. Conclusion: The review study conceptualizes the pandemic spread of COVID-19 and reviews its effect in the workplace as companies reorganize and establish new patterns of operations in response the COVID-19 virus and to ensure precautionary measure against further spread of the disease. The adaptations necessary in the wake of this disease have novel reorganization in both structural and functional areas. The workforce at the workplace underwent loss of its psychological homeostasis. The mitigation which ensured has led to multiple organizational and work-related interventions intended to be instrumental in defending health-related safety in the workplaces.