Occupational Health, Occupational Risk & Career Choices
Occupational Health, Occupational Risk and Career Choices
Most people don’t consider occupational health and occupational risks when they choose a profession.
I came across a post on LinkedIn, written by a man, who said,
“Schools are closed.
Offices are closed.
Malls are empty.
Events called off.
Flights grounded.
Economy down.
Even international borders closed.
People are scared to look at each other, forget touching…
But hospitals are still open, we still touch patients to check their pulse and examine. We don’t hesitate and walk 3mts away if you have cold, cough, fever…
The only community which is at highest risk, yet not stepping back.
Doctors and All medical staff working in the hospital.
Proud to be in Healthcare services.”
One of the replies in the thread said,
“This is your job!! This kind of pathetic post need to stop.”
As well as a few other things.
In more than one reply to people who responded to him he kept saying,
“This is you job!!”
“You aren’t doing anyone a favor.”
“You know the risk. It’s your job.”
My response was this:
“As a healthcare professional myself I can say these people do not choose these careers with risk in mind.
They choose these professions because they primarily care about humanity.
Many leave the profession because they deal with thankless, entitled, arrogant people every day.
People walk away from these careers because they get tired of being treated badly by the general public.
There will come a day when a healthcare professional goes above and beyond their “job” for you, because they do that every day and hopefully you’ll recognize the favor of a fellow human.
Have a nice day.
p.s one day a healthcare professional will write your death certificate and will actually care about you at the same time but he/she will be paid for the paperwork not the empathy and compassion that goes with you.”
This conversation got me thinking about occupational health and the risks people take when they choose careers.
There is a societal push for Resilience Training.
Resilience is absolutely required in all professions, however, career choices directly impact your well-being regardless of resilience.
There is only so much the human body can take before something breaks.
High levels of stress impacts kidney function, and the nervous system
In terms of risk and choices, young tradesmen don’t enter the construction industry knowing that the construction industry has one of the highest rates of suicide.
Young men who enter the trades and work within the mining sector don’t realise the potential for traumatic stress and PTSD.
Teachers don’t realise they’re likely to burnout.
Resilient men are valued but the reality is MANY end up with nerve damage.
Healthcare professionals don’t enter the profession thinking about the potential for vicarious trauma.
These people are the helpers of the world.
It’s less about numbers for them, less about a “job” and more about Humans.
It’s a calling.
I recently spoke to a nurse who left the nursing profession.
She opened up her own spa business and I asked her why she left the profession.
She said, “Why should I work under ridiculous stress and pressure in a system, get paid $40/hr and have sick people spit on me?
I dealt with constant rudeness for years.
I took the risk to work for myself and couldn’t be happier, even though it’s still stressful, it’s a different environment.”
I totally related and agreed with her.
Your work environment DIRECTLY impacts your health.
This virus outbreak provides perspective.
Healthcare systems are under immense pressure globally.
The best thing to focus on now more than ever is prevention.
Instead of pushing for resilience, resulting in burnout, now is a good time to STEP BACK and consider how your workplace is impacting you.
Proactive companies manage from a place of prevention, as opposed to reacting once a situation has already happened.
People burnout because of pressure.
People commit suicide because of pressure.
People end up with nerve damage because of pressure.
After reflecting on the comment of this man I thought it fitting to post this.
Referring to healthcare professionals he said, “ You aren’t doing anyone a favor.”
The best thing you can do for yourselves is DO YOURSELF A FAVOR.
Learn how to prevent illness.
Learn how to prevent burnout.
Learn how to protect your immune system.
Learn about traumatic stress.
It’s highly likely you did not consider this as a risk or possibility when you chose your career; regardless of what that may be.
Empowerment is taking responsibility for your own well-being to the best of your ability, mostly because the healthcare sector was already overwhelmed prior to Coronovirus.
If longevity is something you value, prioritize YOU.
Even more so if you’ve chosen a career in care related work.
Emotional Labor is not accounted for.
Bottom-line is: The stress hormone, cortisol, impacts Everything.
Learn how to lower this on a daily basis and do that for yourself.
It’s necessary now more than ever.
It’s also important to know peoples nervous systems function in different ways.
Our constitutions differ.
There are similarities but it’s not a blanket statement.
Bridging the 2 worlds of East and West, and understanding both worlds is efficient and effective from an integrative health standpoint.
If you know you’re managing high levels of stress and you’re ready to get the necessary tools to help yourself book an online session.
Your Well-being is Your responsibility.
Colleen.
p.s If we’re really lucky corporate structures will start providing training for their employees.
If you’re in a position of leadership, if you’re a proactive leader, if you value the well-being of your team, Book corporate training.
No labor : no product/service.
Reactive management & Frequent layoffs : High Turnover (which ultimately increases costs)
Prioritize your workplace, workplace health and workplace fairness.
Occupational health and managing occupational risk is your responsibility.
People commit to companies who value them.
Invest in employee preventative health skills for Everyone’s Well-being.
It’s a WIN – WIN across the board 🙂
