Prolonged COVID-19 and 'Depression'... Lotte Launches Psychological Defense for Employees

COVID-19 Blue Diagnosis for Employees... Deepening Depression in Emotional Areas
Junior Staff Show More Cognitive Depression, Executives More Social Depression
Support for Emotional Stability Through Campaigns and Mindfulness Programs

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] As the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis continues, Lotte is taking steps to help employees find emotional and psychological stability.

Last month, the Lotte Human Resources Development Institute conducted a survey diagnosing depression (COVID Blue) caused by significant changes in daily life due to COVID-19 among 221 executives and employees. The purpose was to assess the emotional status within the organization felt by employees amid the prolonged COVID-19 situation and to devise measures to improve it.

The survey divided COVID Blue symptoms into four areas (emotional, cognitive, social, physical), and results showed that employees most frequently experienced COVID Blue in the emotional area. In the emotional domain, where negative feelings such as anxiety and nervousness persist, maintaining a low mood, 53.3% of respondents reported feeling these symptoms. This is inferred to be due to various factors such as health concerns, family care responsibilities, economic difficulties, and changes in the work environment, which manifest as stress.

In contrast, the social domain, which involves interactions with others, showed a lower frequency of COVID Blue recognition (28.1%) compared to other areas. This is analyzed to be because, although the ‘physical’ distance from colleagues and acquaintances has increased, untact communication through remote work and video conferencing has continued, so the ‘social’ distance has not significantly widened.

By rank, assistant managers (58.8%) showed a notably higher frequency of COVID Blue in the cognitive domain, characterized by self-deprecating thoughts or pessimistic and harsh views about their organization. Executives, on the other hand, showed a significantly higher frequency (42.9%) in the social domain, feeling loneliness due to insufficient or unsatisfactory social and work interactions compared to other ranks. This appears to be because junior employees feel anxiety about their career development and the company’s future position, while executives relatively feel a greater sense of alienation due to reduced social exchanges.

By industry sector, employees working in the tourism and service sector, which has been hit hardest by COVID-19, showed the highest levels of COVID Blue, while the chemical and construction sectors, which were relatively less affected, showed the lowest levels compared to other industries.

Based on these survey results, the Lotte Human Resources Development Institute plans to establish the ‘Lotte Resilience Program,’ managing four areas?campaign, leadership, mental health, and physical health?to support employees’ emotional stability and address the psychological difficulties caused by COVID Blue.

Since last month, campaign videos sharing information to reduce uncertainty and fear have been continuously produced and shared through ‘Acropolis,’ the company’s online education app for employees. Additionally, the content of the ‘Mindfulness Program,’ previously conducted mainly for leaders, overseas staff, and in-house counselors, will be diversified and the target audience expanded to support employees’ mental health and emotional stability. Alongside this, various programs such as online education for remote workers and remote fitness classes will be developed to help maintain healthy lifestyle habits.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.