Understanding the Rise of Anxiety in Today’s Fragile Workplace“
Intro: In this first part of our series on compassion at work, we set the stage by examining the current state of the workplace. Stress and uncertainty are on the rise, making many work environments feel more fragile than ever. Why are so many of us feeling anxious at work? Let’s explore the context – from pandemic aftershocks to technological upheavals – through a lens that Charles Dickens captured over 160 years ago.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Dickens’ famous line resonates today in offices and home workspaces alike. On one hand, we have unprecedented technology connecting us across distances, new opportunities for remote or hybrid work, and innovations making work easier. On the other hand, we’re grappling with constant change, economic uncertainty, and a mental health crisis in the workplace. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated many of these trends: it blurred the lines between work and home, forced rapid adoption of new tools, and left many workers isolated or on edge. Even as the pandemic’s acute phase fades, its psychological impact lingers. Surveys confirm what many of us feel – record levels of stress and worry at work. In fact, a recent APA Work in America survey found 77% of employees have experienced work-related stress in just the past month. Burnout, anxiety, and uncertainty have become common professional companions.
I call this living in fragile world. Why “fragile”? Because the foundations of how we work are shifting beneath our feet. We live in an age of “Great Contradictions”: best of times – rapid growth in some industries, new ways to collaborate; worst of times – mass layoffs in others, feelings of instability. One moment, you’re on a Zoom call marveling at the convenience of cloud technology; the next, you’re reading rumors about AI potentially replacing jobs. It’s an era of volatile change. As one Gallup poll shows, only 21% of employees strongly agree that their organization cares about their well-being – a sobering low that underscores why many feel unsupported. For younger professionals especially, optimism about the future can quickly give way to pessimism and burnout.
Yet, amid this anxiety, there’s a growing recognition that something important has been missing in many workplaces. We’ve optimized for efficiency and productivity, but perhaps at the cost of our humanity. This realization sets the stage for the rest of our series: exploring how compassion might be the missing ingredient to help heal workplaces in pain. Is there a way to thrive in these “best and worst” times without losing our sanity?
I’d truly value your insights. What’s your take on this topic? How have you seen “the best of times, the worst of times” play out in your own work life, and how are you coping with the uncertainty? Have you experienced something similar—or entirely different? Whether it’s a small moment or a big shift, your reflections can help deepen the conversation for all of us. I invite you to share your ideas, questions, or suggestions to [email protected].
