TO GO OR NOT TO GO – NAVIGATING THE COVID MINEFIELD
(AS I SEE IT – OPINION ARTICLE)
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared a pandemic and the world officially started its journey through two years of stormy seas.
All of us have had to navigate our path using information available, the guidelines of our health professionals, our personal health, family health and our ability to adapt to an ever-changing landscape. Everyone’s experience has been unique to them and their personal situation.
In the beginning we banded together, bonded in our fear of the unknown as we watched the world’s death toll rise. We supported the health workers we called heroes and prayed for a cure or a vaccine as we steeled ourselves for one wave after another.
Now, we are tired. We have a vaccine. We see the highly contagious but much milder Omicron as a sign of the inevitable endemic stage that frees us to return to normalcy and start to heal our country, our economy and all we have lost in the last two years. We all see light at the end of the tunnel, and most of us are ready to run at that light whether it is a train or not.
My personal decision as to how I move forward aside, I am a senior manager of this company. My responsibility to the people who work for me must come before my personal feelings or opinions. Two years ago, it was easy to make decisions about keeping our staff safe. There was little pushback to what were seemingly obvious and nationally accepted choices. We will all work from home. We will meet virtually. We will cease all travel and in-person industry events. Now, that beacon of hope is streaming through, and people are anxious to resume normal operations. My job is still to stay informed and to follow government and health services guidelines – regardless of what anyone thinks is "right."
In-person events are starting up everywhere and mandates are lifting in stages. I have a mix of people with a variety of opinions who work for me. Some can’t wait to get on a plane and get to that conference. They feel safe and want to get out there and be fully engaged in the world. Some, though, are less sure. Some have personal situations that require them to be more cautious. So, how do we best protect both kinds of employees at this point when social media and mainstream media have us so divided on the right way to move forward?
For us at USP, we look to balance the needs of the individual with the current rules in place. Yes, there are conferences happening and we want to be at the table, but that doesn’t mean I am going to tell one of my employees they have to get on a plane and go. It is important in this time of transition that people I am responsible for have options that suit their personal situation. We must protect their freedom to choose, within the current rules in place, and not let them be pressured into situations they are not comfortable with. We must protect our staff from judgment for making their own decision about their health. That policy of "do what is right for you within these guidelines” must be clearly explained to everyone who works for us. If we fail to get that message out, then we run the risk of employees feeling that they must follow the example set by senior leadership. The feeling of "if the Operations Director is travelling, then I better start travelling too” is very real to the people in the company. It is up to the leaders in the organization to be clear that this time of re-opening must allow for personal choice. Let’s move forward, but let’s let everyone determine for themselves how quickly they get back to whatever new normal makes sense to them.
Sher Kirk - Operations Director - Utility Safety Partners