By Paul Hills, Vice-Chair, CWC
We seem to be in a strange position in work and in life generally at present. The pandemic is still here, but things seem to be easing. The lockdown has been handed over to personal action, but what does that mean in reality? Are we getting back to work “normally” or is there a new normal to be found? If so, who decides what it will look like and how will it be implemented? And, when all this is over (whatever that means) how do we stop something similar happening again?
I recently came across an article by an Australian academic, Glenn Varona entitled “Ethics and the resilient society: examining the role of ethics in building societal resilience”. Ethics is certainly something that should occupy a work-place chaplain. Issues of right and wrong, justice and fairness all impact on the workplace. Varona suggests there are two ethical elements needed for society to weather profound disruption:-trust and accountability and the latter he further defines as “shared responsibility”. It struck me that in answering the question “Where to now?” these elements are very important. In the lockdown trust in one another was largely replaced by government edict about what we should do, wear (face masks) and how to associate with one another. Responsibility was reduced to keeping the rules. Now government has stepped back and we have to re-establish trust and shared responsibility.
As the new workplace “normal” emerges, how do we encourage the growth of these ethical attitudes? Chaplains would seem to be well-placed to help this. Their work depends largely on developing trust with employers and employees. They don’t have any “axes to grind” about management and unions (or shouldn’t have!). They are seen as having a caring role (hopefully!). All this should help them help those they serve address the issues of building trust and shared responsibility as the “new normal” emerges.
So, how could we go about promoting the growth and nurturing of these two ethical realties? No doubt there would need to be some reflection upon how these are functioning already in any particular workplace. Seeking to heighten awareness of them would be another step. The use of and strengthening of relationships within any given setting would be needed as well. Given all that has happened in the lockdown, all this will be a challenge with less use of workplaces for actual work and the general attenuation of relationships. But if a new normal is to emerge which does not result in friction and possible conflict, this is a challenge that will have to be met.
Where to now? No doubt everyone reading this article will have some experience or views to share about this. Please do that by feedback to CWC and sharing what you have with whatever colleagues you may have. CWC has regular monthly online sessions for chaplaincy support. Questions could be asked there and experience shared. So,…..where to now?
Paul Hills, Vice-Chair CWC
Where to Now?
