India, 30th October, 2024– The escalating political instability worldwide is posing unprecedented challenges to organisations, particularly in safeguarding the mental health and wellbeing of their workforces. Political instability is a known trigger for mental health issues, as the stress associated with social and civil disturbances often leads to heightened levels of anxiety.1 Constant exposure to political conflicts and uncertainties can contribute to feelings of helplessness and concern about the future, further impacting mental health and wellbeing.

This year has witnessed a record-breaking number of elections worldwide, with 64 countries holding major polls, including the upcoming US presidential election in November. Elections often exacerbate dormant conflicts with heated campaigns and debates which can have mental health complications.2 It is evident that psychological distress among individuals increases during campaigns, on Election Day, and in the aftermath.3 Given these factors, International SOS, the world’s leading health and security risk services company, is emphasising the crucial need for organisations to proactively mitigate the detrimental effects of political instability on their workforce.

Workplace Impacts

Political anxiety, a state of distress or unease caused by concerns about political events, can have a devastating impact on employees and organisations. The negative consequences can include4:

· Reduce job performance due to decreased productivity and impaired concentration.

· Increased absenteeism as fears related to commuting and business travel can lead to employees avoiding these activities due to safety concerns.

· In severe cases, prolonged exposure to political turmoil can result in serious mental health challenges, such as depression and anxiety disorders, which may require medical attention and time off work.

· Increased workplace conflict from heightened tension among employees, leading to more frequent misunderstandings and disagreements.

Dr Vikram Vora, Medical Director and Chief Health Officer (Indian Subcontinent) at International SOS, said, “Increasingly, organizations are becoming concerned about their employees’ mental health as they operate in volatile uncertain, complex and ambiguous global environments, driven by geo-political instability. A defined and well-designed strategy that incorporates safe spaces for free and frank dialogue, offers flexible work options, makes available mental wellbeing resources and support is now a business imperative. A top-down approach where leadership commitment is evident in creating a positive work environment despite uncertainty, can help employees achieve resilience and ensure businesses remain sustainable.”

International SOS offers proactive strategies to combat political anxiety among workforces amid global political uncertainties:

1. Identify Political Stress and Assess the Level of Impact: Assess the psycho-social hazards in the workplace and external exposures to understand and address varying levels of stress among employees.

2. Establish Clear Guidelines: Develop or update policies to establish clear guidelines for political discussions in the workplace. Define acceptable and unacceptable behaviours and outline consequences for violations to avoid bias or discrimination claims.

3. Foster Empathy and Understanding: Cultivate a workplace environment of empathy and understanding by facilitating open and respectful dialogue that fosters connection rather than division.

4. Provide End-to-End Support: Offer tailored support services, such as Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) that provide counselling and emotional support, and personalised hotlines for employees to call in the event of an incident.

5. Access to Reliable Information: Provide reliable and vetted sources of information to negate the impact of misinformation. Offer real-time updates during known events like elections or rising tensions to ensure employees are well-informed.

6. Education and Training: Conduct workshops and training sessions to help employees understand the impact of political anxiety and how to cope with it effectively. Training can also address the importance of respectful political discussions in the workplace. Provide access to wellness programmes and resources. As the election draws closer, consider recirculating company policies related to workplace conduct.

7. Provide Access to Mental Health Professionals: If the impact of politics on mental health becomes overwhelming, having professional help from a therapist or counsellor can offer employees valuable support and guidance on coping strategies to navigate the emotional challenges that political instability can bring.