Washington State Employee Assistance Program Offers Stress Management Resources for 2020 Election Season
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on the Washington State Employee Assistance Program Website
The upcoming presidential election may be a source of anxiety and disagreement for many people across the country. Additional hurdles presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, and tension from recent social unrest, present unique challenges not faced in years prior. The Greater Good Science Center reported that the election is a significant stressor for more than 2/3s of U.S. adults (according to a recent survey by the American Psychological Association), with another new report finding that nearly 70% of us worried about widespread violence erupting after election results are announced (from the nonpartisan organization More in Common).
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has compiled some resources which to help provide support and guidance for employees, managers and leaders as we make our way through this election season. Here are links to the most helpful resources we’ve seen so far:
For employees –
- from the Greater Good Science Center: Eight Questions That Can Help You Survive Election Stress including “What’s happening in my mind and body today?” and “What future would I like to see – and what steps am I taking today to make that happen?”
- Elections 2020 from Washington State EAP Work-Life (pdf) is a compilation of articles intended to help readers manage distress and conflict related to the election and to help voters navigate the polls safely amidst the pandemic.
For managers, leaders and HR –
- actions to take and messages to deliver to employees right away and after Election Day, from Harvard Business Review: Don’t Let Election Passions Roil Your Workplace
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to EAP for support and guidance for yourself, your employees or your organization at 1-877-313-4455 or online.