How does stress manifest following a redundancy?
A redundancy can feel like a bereavement. The worker can therefore suffer from post-traumatic stress.
Post-traumatic stress is characterised by repetition compulsion and great attention to detail: the trauma is relived in dreams and in discussions around the traumatic event.
The consequences for daily life can be difficulty sleeping, particularly with a fear of falling asleep, major somatic and behavioural symptoms, such as outbursts, agitation or severe anxiety. Victims may also suffer from being in a state of permanent alertness, which is literally exhausting, or a state of vigilance in relation to their environment, which can lead to a certain amount of aggression.
Equally, certain emotional disorders may appear, such as introversion and sadness. Depression is often associated with post-traumatic stress.
Most victims have a tendency to avoid situations that are similar to the trauma, a symptom that may become generalised to situations that are less and less similar, which increases the isolation and reduction in activities .
What are the risk factors?
It seems that women are two times more likely to be affected than men.
What are the means of prevention at a corporate level?
At a corporate level, it is important to follow a method when announcing a redundancy:
- Never announce a redundancy just before a holiday or a bank holiday
- Demonstrate total availability, even in the event of major and complex conflicts
- Remain empathic and provide plenty of space to talk
- Explain, soften, distinguish the professional sphere from the employee’s individuality
- Manage the shock wave that will certainly occur, when a redundancy is announced by arranging meetings, responding to demands for an explanation and by taking stock of the situation
- Courage, clarity and dialogue are the pillars of a well-thought-out professional separation. There is no "miracle solution" for managing these difficult times, but there is an open and legitimate way to approach them.
What solutions are there for people who suffer from post-traumatic stress?
- Accept this bereavement phase
- Don't hide your emotions
- Talk about the trauma with those around you
- Share your fears
- Try to meet people who have been through the same trauma
- Don't isolate yourself
- Consult a professional to overcome the trauma
- Move forward with it, for example, with the help of a coach to manage this career transition.