The Impact of Military Deployments

1

The Impact of Military Deployments in the
Workplace
2
Introduction

• Todays Presenters
• Dan Lafferty, MSW, LSW, CEAP
• Kris Huey, MS, NCC, LPC, CEAP
• Donna Pitkoff, MS, NCC, LPC, CEAP
• Military OneSource
• An integrated EAP and Work/Life program offered
  to U.S. Military service members and their
  families

3
Objectives

• Overview of military demographics and types of
  deployment
• Focus on the family
• Focus on the workplace

4
About the U.S. Military

• 1.4 million Active Duty, 1.2 million
  Reserve/Guard members, 800,000 DoD Civilians, and
  40,000 Coast Guard
• Women in uniform 15 for Active Duty 17 for
  Reserve/Guard
• Almost 50 of Active Duty is 25 years old or
  younger
• Largest age group for the Reserve/Guard is 25 or
  younger
• Just over 50 of Active Duty and Reserve/Guard
  force is married
• Military members with children 44 for Active
  Duty, 38 for Reserve/Guard
• About 69 of Active Duty spouses are either
  employed or actively seeking employment
• When activated, 4 out of 10 Reserve/Guard members
  experience a loss of income
• More than 768,000 members of the Reserve/Guard
  have been mobilized since the Persian Gulf War.
  For the previous 36 years, the figure was 349,208

5
Types of Deployment

• Deployment to combat/war zone (OIF/OEF)
• Humanitarian/peacekeeping missions
• Back-filling a position
• Guard response to a natural disaster
• Border patrol
• Naval deployments to sea (peacetime/wartime)

6
Changes in the Family

• Shift in family dynamics and roles
• Single parent status
• Guardianship issues
• Dependent care issues for elderly
• Income changes
• Possible need to relocate

7
Emotional Cycle of Deployment

• Pre-deployment
• During deployment
• Post-deployment

8
Pre-Deployment

• Pre-Deployment
• Anticipation of Loss
• Pre-Deployment
• Detachment Withdrawal

9
During-Deployment

• During-Deployment
• Emotional Disorganization
• During-Deployment
• Recovery and Stabilization
• During Deployment
• Anticipation of Homecoming

10
Post-Deployment

• Post-Deployment
• Renegotiation of marriage contract
• Post-Deployment
• Reintegration and Stabilization

11
Contributing Factors

• Repeated deployments
• Extended deployments
• RR Leave
• Clinical issues
• Severe injury
• Casualties

12
Impact of Deployment on Employers

• Small number, huge impact
• How businesses cope
• Financial impact
• Special populations

13
USERRA

• Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment
  Rights Act (1994)
• Who is eligible?
• Covers absences from work, due to military
  service and training
• Up to 5 years cumulatively
• Employee/Employer responsibilities
• Employer cannot discriminate based on status as a
  service member

14
What Can Managers Expect?Pre-Deployment

• Conflict between loyalty to job and service
• Increase in phone calls to family and to make
  arrangements
• Use of sick days and time off
• Decreased productivity
• Difficulty concentrating/distraction
• Distancing from coworkers, friends, and family
• Emotional reactions (anxiety, anger, confusion)

15
What Can Managers Expect?During-Deployment

• Distraction
• News monitoring/internet surfing
• Emotional reactions (anxiety, fear)
• Stress due to separation
• Work-life balance issues

16
How Can Managers Help?

• Understand company policy on military leave
• Be prepared for questions about job protection
  USERRA
• Set aside time to talk
• Be flexible and keep communication open
• Expect other employees to be impacted
• Be proactive about managing workload

17
Re-Entry into Civilian Work

• It is a process, not a one-time event
• Readjusting
• Feeling out of place
• Response of Co-workers
• Lack of interest/excitement about work
• Change in values

18
Workplace Changes

• Personnel changes
• Job duties assigned to someone else
• New job duties/responsibilities
• Advancement of peers or colleagues

19
Emotional Changes

• Conflict between military and civilian identity
• Lack of cohesion around a mission
• Altered belief systems
• Distrust
• Marital problems interfering with work
• Financial problems
• Mental health problems

20
Clinical Issues in the Workplace

• Post Traumatic Stress
• Increased Drug and Alcohol Use
• Marital Problems
• Increased domestic violence
• Family Problems

21
How Can Managers Help?Post-Deployment

• Allow for gradual re-entry
• Welcome the employee back
• Make introductions
• Meet to discuss changes
• Support the employee with training
• Be alert for signs of difficulty
• Support other impacted employees
• Limit political debate or discussion

22
EAP Assessment

• Psychological symptoms
• Health and physical symptoms
• Impact on work functioning
• Impact on interpersonal relationships
• Coping skills past and present
• Substance use/abuse
• Previous traumatic experiences
• Deployment-related experiences

23
EAP Intervention

• Focus on improving or maintaining work function
• Reduce isolation/social withdrawal
• Strengthen family relationships
• Prevent substance abuse
• Be practical and specific
• Set up longer-term referrals ahead of time

24
Changed Views ChartFrom Courage After Fire
Coping Strategies for Returning Soldiers and
Their Families (2006) by Keith Armstrong,
L.C.S.W., Suzanne Best, Ph.D.,and Paula Domenici,
Ph.D. (page 140)
25
Implications for EAP Professionals

• Stretching traditional EAP limits
• Return to work conferences
• Know your boundaries
• Know your resources

26
Questions?