Influenza pandemic in 1918 came in three waves, lasted over three years across most of the western world infecting half of the population, and causing over 50 million deaths. Similarly, the Covid-19 virus has surged through two distinct waves all over the world in 2020 and 2021. In India, the second wave came around mid-April 2021, when we were rightfully toasting our success over the first wave. The nationwide lockdown of March 2020 had allowed us to ramp up our broken public health system, which eventually assisted in the efficient management of the first wave. However, everyone was caught flat-footed when the second wave hit with a vengeance. The consequence was that most of the states, institutions, and businesses again hunkered down, shifted back to work from home, and went into online modes.

The prevailing distress was further compounded  with more young people getting infected. As with the first wave, all schools and colleges continued their classes as per their semester plans and conducted examinations by utilizing online platforms. The instant study was an attempt to gauge the impact of the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic on well being and mental health.

Objectives :

1. To examine the impact of the unfolding second wave of Covid-19 on personal well-being.
2. To study the coping mechanisms adopted by the employees to tackle the effect of Covid-19.

Methodology

The primary method of the research study was a survey. This coincided with nearly a month-long lockdown and work from home. A standard questionnaire was circulated to all the employees through their registered institutional emails through google forms. The management had decided to conduct this personal well-being survey of the entire population.

Data Analysis

1. Response Analysis based on Gender

Results show that males were better able to show psychological well-being as compared to females. Results show a very low level of stress and anxiety among the employees. Acceptance of Covid vaccination is also marginally better amongst the male employees.

2. Response Analysis based on Work Experience

As per the analysis based on the experience, there is marked difference in the key parameters as employees above 10 years of experience have a higher influence of the basic parameters including Covid related ailments, looking after the family, and acceptance of vaccination. Again results show that employees who have more than 10 years of experience were better able to show psychological well-being during the pandemic period of Covid-19 as compare to employees who have less than 10 years of work experience.