08/20/2020

Industrial and Organizational Psychologists Will Help Shape the Post-pandemic Workplace

There will be challenges in re-opening workplaces

Industrial and organizational (I/O) psychologists have an important role to play in helping open up workplaces following weeks of lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We asked five I/O psychologists to give their perspectives on the challenges they and their colleagues will face, and where they think they will have the most influence.

As American workplaces go back into operation, human beings will be coming back into them. With more than 35 million people out of work in the United States, some people will be delighted to be at the office; others will be reluctant, anxious about the health risks, child care or other concerns; still others may believe they have the right to behave any way they choose. All will be vulnerable to disease and will need to be safe at work.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued guidelines (not regulations) for the post-pandemic workplace based on the idea that "the best way to control a hazard is to systematically remove it from the workplace, rather than relying on workers to reduce their exposure."

Please select this link to read the complete article from the American Psychological Association.