After September 11th, 2001, the imagery of crashing airplanes was burned into our collective consciousness by repeated media coverage. Fear of airplanes and fear of air travel became a trigger for anxiety and panic attacks in many people. There are a number of your employees who experienced this, and then resumed normal travel activity over a period of months as no additional air terrorist strikes occurred.

As a result of world tensions and being at war, it is understandable that there will be renewed fear associated with air travel. During these unsettling times, people may want to stay close to their families and friends and, as such, employees could be increasingly reluctant to fly.

Signs of Anxiety

• Physical symptoms, which commonly range from trembling, nausea, dizziness, sweating, racing heart, breathlessness or a choking sensation.

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• Accompanying depression or insomnia.

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• Sudden panic attacks which can arise out of the blue or as a spontaneous response to irrational or imagined fears, such as travel to unknown destinations or being on an airplane.

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• Anxiety is interfering with the job, family or relationships.

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• Refusal to consider air travel under any circumstance or at any time in the future.

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How Managers Can Support Employees

There are a number of opportunities for managers to recognize and help employees who demonstrate an excessive fear of flying. To lessen employee anxiety around this issue:

1. Re-examine the corporate policy around employee safety and security with respect to air travel during times of high alert or travel to global "hot" zones.

    

2. Communicate this policy clearly to your employees who travel frequently as part of their job. Reassure employees who may believe there will be a negative impact if they refuse to fly that, within your company policy, they do have positive choices.

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4. Treat anxious employees with respect. Do not judge or downplay their concerns or fears.

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6. Understand that there are many techniques that can be used to successfully manage anxiety in general. Ensure that your employees have access to information or experts about these techniques.

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8. If you have a professional counselling network available through your EAP, this is the key time to recommend that your employees seek some professional guidance. You may also want to research the airlines in your area that have run successful programs regarding air safety.

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Michel Arsenault, Director of Global Trauma Services for FGI, received his Masters of Social Work degree from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He has been practicing clinical Social Work for several years, specializing in counselling individuals and groups dealing with trauma. He is also a Certified Trauma Responder through the American Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists. Michel oversees the operations of the department, complemented by an experienced Trauma Team, 350 trained Trauma counsellors across the country and 100 trained counsellors around the world. Michel Arsenault can be reached at marsenault@fgiworld.com.

Gabor Gellert, Regional Manager, Trauma Services for FGI, has 12 years of clinical management experience, both in EAP and Trauma Services. His additional 25-year career in the mental health field includes direct counselling experience for a wide range of issues, and he has conducted more than 125 critical incident stress defusings and debriefings. Gabor received his Master of Education (Counselling Psychology) from McGill University in 1977. He also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Concordia University, a diploma in Education from McGill and a diploma in Addiction Studies from McMaster University. Gabor has completed his Basic and Advanced certificate in Critical Incident Stress Management from the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation. Gabor Gellert can be reached at ggellert@fgiworld.com.