The role of the industrial psychologist in managing the psychological impact of COVID-19 in the workplace

Abstract

Recently, the world experienced dramatic changes due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Working remotely led to employees feeling isolated and experiencing fatigue and depression. The responsibility of addressing the psychological wellbeing of employees lies with industrial psychology practitioners. They support line management by counseling employees experiencing social and psychological problems. The objective of the present study was to explore the role of the industrial psychology practitioner in managing the psychological impact of COVID-19 on employees. Using a homogeneous sampling technique, a qualitative research design was employed based on social constructivism. Semi-structured interviews and a qualitative survey were utilized to gather the data from industrial psychology practitioners (n = 22) registered as psychologists and interns. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data. Most participants believed that the onset of COVID-19 led to accelerated change in the workplace. The findings suggest that an industrial psychology practitioner’s role in the changing world of work enables organizations to be prepared for the changes by providing multi-level interventions. Recommendations are made to organizations to implement interventions to facilitate support for employees in their attempt to deal with the psychological impact of COVID-19 on employees.

Job Burnout in Women and the Need to Use Psychological Services and Counselling in Workplaces

“…"Basically, through workplace counseling, an organizational psychology specialist helps employees to perform optimally at work. From the point of view of organizational psychology, workplace counseling focuses on facilitating the personal development of employees as well as addressing stress-related problems" [14]. From this point of view, this study is trying to show the importance of using psychological counseling in reducing the burnout of women in Explain service organizations.…”