How to Manage Stress Experienced by Employees When Working from Home Due to the Covid-19 Virus Outbreak

Abstract

Currently throughout the world covid-19 virus affected or known as the corona. Employees have to work from home to keep themselves productive or at a minimum when still working, they must be equipped with masks, physical distance and hand sanitizer policies to protect themselves. The negative aspect that employees can feel is that they have to adapt to current challenges, especially employees who have a family where they usually do all the work in the office, but now they also have to take care of family and children, the role of ambiguity, role conflict, and continue to carry out its work for an undetermined period. Previous research states that there is uncertainty about coming to work, inadequate equipment, the erratic workload can cause stress for employees. The purpose of this study is to add insight into how to manage stress experienced by employees while working from home amid dangerous conditions, especially now with the outbreak of the covid-19 virus from a review of various existing literature and using qualitative methodologies to support this research. Next, we present the results of our empirical analysis and discuss the implications of our research. We recommend six approaches that employees can take to prevent uncontrolled stress namely communication with family, communication at work, scheduling, safety. while maintaining health, obey government regulations and limit it to see news about the pandemic covid-19 outbreak.

Full text

International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology
Vol. 29, No. 5, (2020), pp. 8359-8364
8359
ISSN: 2005-4238 IJAST
Copyright ⓒ 2020 SERSC
How to Manage Stress Experienced by Employees When Working
from Home Due to the Covid-19 Virus Outbreak
Christian Wiradendi Wolor1, Sholatia Dalimunthe2, Ika Febrilia3, S Martono4
Universitas Negeri Jakarta1,2,3
Universitas Negeri Semarang4
Corresponding Author: christianwiradendi@unj.ac.id
Abstract
Currently throughout the world covid-19 virus affected or known as the corona. Employees
have to work from home to keep themselves productive or at a minimum when still working, they
must be equipped with masks, physical distance and hand sanitizer policies to protect themselves.
The negative aspect that employees can feel is that they have to adapt to current challenges,
especially employees who have a family where they usually do all the work in the office, but now
they also have to take care of family and children, the role of ambiguity, role conflict, and continue
to carry out its work for an undetermined period. Previous research states that there is uncertainty
about coming to work, inadequate equipment, the erratic workload can cause stress for employees.
The purpose of this study is to add insight into how to manage stress experienced by employees
while working from home amid dangerous conditions, especially now with the outbreak of the
covid-19 virus from a review of various existing literature and using qualitative methodologies to
support this research. Next, we present the results of our empirical analysis and discuss the
implications of our research. We recommend six approaches that employees can take to prevent
uncontrolled stress namely communication with family, communication at work, scheduling,
safety. while maintaining health, obey government regulations and limit it to see news about the
pandemic covid-19 outbreak.
Keywords: Stress; Work from home; Covid-19
1. Introduction
Currently throughout the world covid-19 virus affected or known as the corona.
The covid-19 virus was first discovered in China with the spread of this virus can
be between humans and is currently developing throughout the world (Kampf,
Todt, Pfaender, & Steinmann, 2020). This makes many regions isolated and has an
impact on a very drastic decline in the economy (Bayuni, 2020). Employees have
to work from home to keep themselves productive and maintain their performance
amid the outbreak of the covid-19 virus (Fachriansyah, 2020; Putri, 2020) or at a
minimum when still working, they must be equipped with masks, physical
distance and hand sanitizer policies to protect themselves so that they can cut off
the spread of this virus. (Desk, 2020).
For employees, this can also be seen in several aspects. Positive aspects can be
seen that by working in a virtual way they can manage their work flexibly, the
existence of work-life balance (Felstead & Henseke, 2017). A survey by the
American Information Technology Association even found that 36 percent of
respondents would choose to work from home rather than a salary increase.
Employees are happy with their work, do not experience traffic jams when going
to the office, breathe healthy air and are more satisfied with their personal lives
(Lorenz, 2007). However, the negative aspect that employees can feel is that they
have to adapt to current challenges, especially employees who have a family
where they usually do all the work in the office, but now they also have to take

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Vol. 29, No. 5, (2020), pp. 8359-8364
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ISSN: 2005-4238 IJAST
Copyright ⓒ 2020 SERSC
care of family and children, the role of ambiguity, role conflict, and continue to
carry out its work for an undetermined period especially the covid-19 pandemic
outbreak (Bahney, 2020; Usman, Ahmed, & Ahmed, 2011). Previous research
states that there is uncertainty about coming to work, inadequate equipment, the
erratic workload can cause stress for employees (Erebak, 2016).
Stress can be caused due to the overlapping of work and family life. Work is
brought home by employees, the inability to forget work at home, lack of support
and stability from the family can cause stress to employees (Ahmed & Ramzan,
2013). Previous studies found that those who were quarantined would experience
emotional disturbances, depression, stress, irregular moods, irritability. The long-
term impact of quarantine especially with this covid-19 outbreak is that it can be
with avoidance behavior, alcohol abuse, and difficulty adapting to normal life
(Hegde, 2020).
The purpose of this study is to add insight into how to manage stress
experienced by employees while working from home amid dangerous conditions,
especially now with the outbreak of the covid-19 virus from a review of various
existing literature and using qualitative methodologies to support this research.
Next, we present the results of our empirical analysis and discuss the implications
of our research.
2. Literature Review
Stress is an undesirable reaction by individuals that must be faced with heavy
pressure, work demands, workloads that affect the physical and mental employee
(Ahmed & Ramzan, 2013). Job stress is generally defined as a psychologically
depressed condition caused by unpleasant physical or psychological experiences
(Bimantoro & Noor, 2012). Work stress refers to the pressures or tensions that
people feel in life between the external environment and us, which cause
emotional and physical stress (Kotteeswari & Sharief, 2014).
Several previous studies mention that with stress an employee will act more
than before to work better. However, if the stress is excessive, it will create
anxiety, anxiety for employees and the potential to reduce their performance
(Ahmed & Ramzan, 2013).
There are two approaches to work stress, namely the individual and company
approaches (Rivai & Sagala, 2011). For individuals, it is important to approach
because work stress can affect life, health, productivity, and income. For
companies, not only because of humanitarian reasons but also because they
influenced the achievement of all aspects and effectiveness of the company as a
whole.
The source of work stress that occurs to employees according to Robbins, can
come from 3 factors: environmental factors such as environmental uncertainty
affecting changing organizational structures and technological advances,
organizational factors in the form of high task demands, and individual factors in
the employee's factors (Robbins & Judge, 2013). Family factors can also affect
employee stress ranging from no support from family and lack of stability in
household life (Ahmed & Ramzan, 2013; Dolcos & Daley, 2009). Many reasons
cause employee stress due to work, family, excessive work conflict (Ahmed &
Ramzan, 2013).

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3. Methodology
This research is a systematic review (Systematic Review) using the PRISMA
(Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis) method
which is carried out systematically by following the correct stages or research
protocols. A systematic review is a research method that aims to evaluate, identify,
analyze all previous research results that are related and relevant to a particular
topic, particular research, or the latest phenomenon of concern (Perry &
Hammond, 2002); (Wolor, Pratama, Aditya, F, & Purwana, 2020). The facts
presented are comprehensive and balanced because systematic reviews are used to
synthesize relevant research findings. Qualitative systematic review includes the
following steps: Formulating research questions, conducting systematic literature
review searches, screening and selecting suitable research articles, Conduct
analysis and synthesis of qualitative findings, Implement quality control, Prepare a
final report (Perry & Hammond, 2002); (Wolor et al., 2020).
A qualitative approach is used to frame, analyze, and provide comprehensive
solutions in solving working stress amid the pandemic covid-19 virus (Berkah &
Sawarjuwono, 2019). Various scientific articles are taken from specialized
journals to help build the most prominent elements in describing work motivation
in a dangerous environment, based on several important points explained by
different authors (Moreno, Lafuente, Carreón, & Moreno, 2017).
4. Discussion
What should be a concern for employees today amid a covid-19 pandemic is a
stress problem where employees cannot work effectively in the office due to
government policies to carry out regional quarantine and social distancing. This is
compounded by the gathering of families at home as a result of this policy, where
on one side employees must work at home and on the other hand some families
are also at home playing a part in psychological relations of employees who work
daily at the office, currently working at home while gathering with family. The
balance between the responsibility to balance work and family responsibilities is
very important to do to avoid employee stress especially with the covid-19 virus
outbreak where the uncertainty of the covid-19 outbreak and government policies
regarding social distancing will soon end (Crosbie & Moore, 2004; Dolcos &
Daley, 2009). Uncertainty of going to work amid this outbreak, inadequate
equipment, the erratic workload can cause stress for employees (Erebak, 2016). If
stress is not controlled and left by employees, it will be a real problem for the
company and employees. Too much stress will cause emotional disturbances,
work quality, and the life of the employee (Afida, Janipha, Mustapha, & Ismail,
2012). We provide recommendations on several things that can be done to
overcome the problems regarding stress experienced by employees while working
from home.
First, communication with family. Communicate to families and children about
current conditions that must work from home or in shifts to reduce the spread of
the covid-19 virus. Maybe some children don't understand this condition and will
see their parents who used to work right now in their midst and the time they
spend together playing. This can be communicated in a way that can be
understood by children, for example, analogous to their favorite films in the face
of all this to remain at home so they can survive (Bahney, 2020; Hegde, 2020).

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Family support is important in reducing employee stress which can stimulate
employee motivation and performance (Sok, Blomme, & Tromp, 2014).
Second, communication at work. Communication at work is equally important
where amid the 19th outbreak requires employees to rely on technology in
communication. This is good if everything from infrastructure and technology is
sufficient. However, it should be noted aspects that can cause stress for employees
both in terms of technology that is not yet supported, weak signals,
communication between employees due to not meeting directly so they can not
know the emotions of the conversation (Jones & Graham, 2015). It is
recommended to use virtual communication media, although we cannot physically
meet, we are face to face and not just text messages (Morley, Cormican, & Folan,
2015). This is needed to stay connected, feel cared for and keep creating strong
associations (Hegde, 2020; Putri, 2020). Previous research shows that working
virtually can balance family life and work to reduce employee stress (Raghuram &
Wiesenfeld, 2004).
Third, Scheduling. Employees can arrange schedules with other family
members, with husbands, wives, and children to be able to continue working and
have time to play. Prepare interesting activities while at home so you don't create
boredom, boredom, and even stress for employees and an opportunity to be able to
spend time with family too (Bahney, 2020; Hegde, 2020). Arranging the schedule
for the division of tasks in managing children in husband and wife is also
important in maximizing work from home to avoid conflicts within the family that
can cause conflict and stress (Jones & Graham, 2015). Avoid working overtime
even when working from home, because this will cause conflict at home and can
cause stress for employees (Albertsen, Rafnsdóttir, Grimsmo, & Tómas-son,
2008).
Fourth, safety. Safety is very important for employees who are required to work
in shifts during the covid-19 pandemic outbreak. Where, companies are required
to provide the latest procedures, medical devices, benefits for employees so that
they feel safe and comfortable while working (Nea et al., 2017; Syakriah, 2020).
Fifth, maintaining health. During the covid-19 pandemic virus outbreak, it is
good for employees to stay healthy so that they can remain productive at work and
gather with family especially with the social distance policy (Hegde, 2020). It is
necessary to exercise, nutritious food intake, and a supply of vitamins and drugs to
maintain fitness (Bhui, Dinos, Galant-miecznikowska, Jongh, & Stansfeld, 2016).
Sixth, obey government rules and limit it to see news about the covid-19
pandemic outbreak. This will make you feel restless, anxious, and will make you
stressed out excessively (Hegde, 2020; Putri, 2020). Especially if there is false
information, check and refine the news, especially those that are misleading. The
more people adhere to policies and regulations that can scientifically combat this
covid-19 pandemic, the faster we can get up from this outbreak (Putri, 2020).
5. Conclusion
Amid the covid-19 outbreak situation, it is very vulnerable for employees to
experience stress related to working from home. Where working from home
requires employees to remain productive, but on the other hand, they must gather,
take care of the household and family every day during the quarantine. This will
drain employees' energy, mind, and psychology where they are accustomed to
working in the office every day, but now they have to work at home. Through this

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article, we recommend six approaches that employees can take to prevent
uncontrolled stress namely communication with family, communication at work,
scheduling, safety. while maintaining health, obey government regulations and
limit it to see news about the pandemic covid-19 outbreak.
Future Research
This research is only based on literature review chosen by the authors from
various sources of literature available in helping provide recommendations to
employees to manage stress while working from home amid dangerous conditions,
especially now with the outbreak of the covid-19 virus. This was taken because
the author is currently undergoing a policy from the Indonesian government for
self-isolation and working from home. Future research requires a broader method
through direct interviews or with quantitative methods to increase the repertoire of
knowledge.
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