Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
CSTS | Department of Psychiatry | Uniformed Services University | 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799 | www.CSTSonline.org

Managing a Workplace or an
Organization after a Crisis
Disasters that impact the workplace,
simply will not be done in the shortwhether natural or human-made, create
term. Be sure that no employee has an
Disasters that impact the workplace,unusual challenges for management.
essential task that no one else knows
whether natural or human-made, create
You and your staf may be impacted by
how to do, or that person will surely be
its efects. Emotional stress, physicaloverworked.
unusual challenges for management.
injury, grief, and disruption of normal
Train managers to monitor their
You and your staf may be impacted
routines may limit the availability
subordinates. Ensure that personnel
and energy of your work group. At
are not working excessive hours,by its efects.
the same time, the group may faceand check for signs of exhaustion.
new responsibilities — caring for its
In stressful times, leaders and highly
own members and facilitating community recovery. Besides
dedicated employees are more likely to overwork than othermeeting customers’ special needs for assistance following apersonnel. It may seem ironic but, afer a crisis, senior leaderscrisis, personnel may have other unique requirements andneed to pay more attention to the conscientious individuals
stressors. Much of the human sufering associated with a
who normally need the least supervisory attention. Point out todisaster happens afer the event itself, and can be mitigated bysubordinate leaders that they need to model healthy behaviors;efective management. Te following can help you structure your this will help them monitor their own tendencies to overwork.
response:
Encourage and facilitate healthy, safe behavior. Remind
Take care of your people frst. First, locate your staf andemployees of the importance of getting adequate sleep and rest,
ensure that they and their families have medical care and otherdrinking enough water, and taking steps to avoid any potential
necessities so they can be efective in the workplace. Tis taskhazards in one’s environment.
will be easier if you have planned for it in advance. Modify ofce
Many people are resilient and will recover from theirrules and procedures that are counterproductive afer a crisis.
traumatic experiences. To facilitate the recovery process,For example, dress codes, rules about children in the ofce, andindividuals ofen need to talk about what they have gone
restrictions on using telephones for personal business, may needthrough, compare their reactions with those of others, exchange
to be adjusted in the post-crisis period.
information, and provide one another with support andTake steps to prevent accidents and illness. Reinstate
consolation. Te most efective way is usually to make it easy fortraining for emergency response and communications forpeople to do it when they feel ready, not to pressure them to talk
help. People who are exhausted ofen forget to take necessary
about the traumatic situation at a time when they feel the need tosteps to prevent injury and illness. Reminders and retraining
be silent. Provide an informal break area where employees cancan be valuable. Review the workplace for physical risks whilegather for snacks or lunch and spend a little time talking withrecognizing that attention and energy will be less than usual.
their co-workers. Whenever possible, try to keep established
Prevent overwork and exhaustion. Afer an initial crisis
work groups together to build on the strength of existing ties
period during which overwork may be necessary, develop
among co-workers. If an employee must work alone or withprocedures to assure that employees do not work too many
strangers, fnd a way for them to communicate with the larger
hours without rest. It is particularly important to prevent
organization, get information about how their co-workers are
the overwork and exhaustion that can occur as people throw
faring, and be assured they are still part of the group.
themselves into new tasks and responsibilities.
If you have a mental health caregiver such as an employee
Exhaustion and lack of sleep can decrease alertness, impair
assistance professional (EAP), make that person available in an
judgment, and make people more vulnerable to accidents.
informal way to talk with employees where they work. Most
Establish work and rest times. Rest is best when it is away frompeople will not need extensive personal counseling, but will
work unless safety at work is greater.
appreciate information and advice about issues such as how to
Attempt to provide adequate stafng for any new
deal with their children’s reactions to the crisis. A few people
responsibilities created afer the crisis and for usual
may need more extensive mental health assistance. EAPs areresponsibilities that become more demanding as a result of
traditionally well informed and resourceful about locating
the crisis. Prior planning and cross-training can make a big
professional care for those who need it.
diference. Set clear priorities, including identifying work that