Employee Well-being and Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Organizational Perspectiv

Abstract

Worldwide, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has changed workplaces, posing unprecedented challenges for both organizations and employees. In addition to its detrimental effects on health and the economy, the pandemic had a substantial negative impact on employees' psychological health by raising levels of stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, job instability, work-family conflict, and social isolation. In order to maintain productivity and business continuity, organizations were forced to quickly establish employee assistance programs, modify workplace practices, and adopt virtual work practices. The paper lists key organizational behaviour, workplace challenges, HR interventions, leadership techniques and employee coping techniques that affect psychological well-being in times of crisis. The strategic role of human resource management in fostering resilience, organizational commitment, and employee engagement via flexible work schedules, communication, counselling services, and supportive leadership is also included in the study. The study comes to the conclusion that organizations that put employee well-being first is more likely to achieve long-term organizational effectiveness, workforce resilience, and sustainable performance both during and after health emergencies. Furthermore, the study suggests future avenues in research for managing mental health in the workplace.