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The continuing crisis of Coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19) has changed our lives considerably; imposing the need for various modifications for organizations and individuals to cope up in this testing time. This study is undertaken to have an insight on how organizations and individuals adapt to these changes and challenges. The impact of coronavirus on human body is well known and more research is underway but what it does to the human behavior and the psychosocial effects are yet to be unraveled. To dive deep into the behavioral consequences of such pandemic, 23 in-depth interviews (Male 12; female 13, average age of 39 years) were conducted with middle level managers in public and private service industry of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Using the Conservation of resource theory (COR), this paper explores the employee’s perception of different types of stressors and examine a variety of coping mechanisms including the type of organizational support provided during this crisis. The findings of the interview suggest that the stress levels were moderate to high among all the participants. The main themes emerged from the interviews were categorized into five; (i) Triggers of stress (ii) Organizational support (iii) Coping strategies & resources (iv) Blurred boundaries during WFH and (v) Positivity in this crisis. The study presents an integrated Stress Model with key triggers, coping strategies (resources), organization support and outcome. The triggers inducing stress includes fear of unknown, ineffective communication at work, lack of clarity and direction, interruptions during WFH resulting in loss of resources like time and energy. All this might disturb employee’s mental health leading to prolonged stress or even psychosomatic diseases. Therefore, it is an important issues which need to be given priority in all organizations. The findings support the notion that there is a dire need for psycho-social support, community support and an effective system of organizational support to sustain employee’s emotional and mental wellbeing. The findings of the study are valuable and have urgent policy implications for devising a special EAP for crisis like COVID-19 and any future cases. Although the lockdown would be gradually eased, organizations need to rethink about different alternatives to work. The need of the hour is to be more agile and flexible to foster creativity and innovation.

Technology advancements in the present era have tremendous impact on teaching and learning as well. The present research aims to answer the research question; whether use of technology would help and support autonomous learning and also enhance student engagement? To assess this, blended learning approach was applied in a business course. "Blended learning" refers to combining face-toface learning with online learning experience. The detailed findings of a study conducted to assess the impact of blended learning initiative on student's engagement and overall learning in a business course has been reported in the paper. In addition, it also draws student's perspective on blended learning approach. LMS (Learning Management System), the eLearning platform, was extensively used for flipped classroom and other activities which were applied in Organizational Behavior course throughout one semester (16 weeks). Multiple sources were used for data collected; focus-group interviews; student surveys and LMS records. For comparison purpose, the course learning outcome achievement data were collected from two sections of this course; first, the test group (Section A) and second the control group (Section B). The results clearly show an increase in students learning in the test group (where blended learning was applied), in terms of learning outcome achievement and overall engagement with online activities as well as in class activities. This was depicted in their online quiz results, time spent and quality of contribution on online forums, discussions and glossary. According to student's perspective (test group), they felt motivated as they had some control over time, place or pace for learning. The evidence is found for the positive outcomes of blended learning approach; leads to higher student achievement and improves student engagement. Based on the analysis, the study contributes with its fruitful findings to the literature of Blended learning. Strong implications can be drawn for both the Instructor and the Institutions who wish to implement blended learning approach. Consequently, meaningful reforms in the higher education can be future direction for the government.