“We are trying to do our best to keep you on the pay-roll. And we will continue supporting you.”

“Even though the times are tough we are managing and will be there on your side inspite of the tough circumstances.”

Given the economic recession, almost all companies are struggling with issues of payments, salaries and revenues. And to counter it, they are resorting to lay-offs, salary cuts, no-hikes, or declaring the year as a no-bonus year. But the dilemma is that sometimes despite knowing that they are going to give the employee unpleasant news, the companies try and keep a brave face, sometimes making false promises and continue to pull the workforce along.

Sample this: A start-up recently announced to its employees that a prospective funding fell through. And that the founder is trying to get the funding from another investor now. And that even though the employees won’t be paid for the next 2 months atleast, they still have their jobs and will be paid post that.
Post 2 months, there is still no sign of funding and the employees have started to feel worried. The founder had promised them that it is a matter of 2 months but now he has nothing to show for it.
The founder on his part is honest to his word and claims that he has not cheated the employees, that he tried, and that he is guilt-ridden for portraying to the employees a comforting image but where he knew things were tough.

What are the possible reasons that business leaders are not able to upfront tell their employees the truth of it all?

 The guilt: Employees are worried about their work and payments. With an uncertain future, they have questions about their salary and employment. The embarrasment of answering these tough questions by saying things like, “We are doing our best. Everything will be alright. Things are tough but things will be back to normal” - when in reality they are unaware of the future circumstances makes them feel guilty–an emotion that creeps over them over time. In an attempt to deal with  the guilt, many fall into the trap of continuing to lie to themselves and the employees about the business’ status thus inflicting deep emotional injuries on themselves.

 Tough choices to make: You as an employer or a team leader are forced to lie or avoid answering questions like, “Why are we not getting paid. Can we at least get 60% of the payment?” You are aware that the liquidity rate of the company is on the low and managing every employees’ full salary is a task. The choices that you have are brutal too. And this leads you to evade answers, however much mentally and emotionally taxing those days maybe for you.

Not being able to make others happy: As an employer or a team leader, the one thing that keeps your morale high is the success and happiness of your team. In these pandemic times, when you cannot even afford to take care of the livelihood of your team, you start feeling that you are the cause for someone's misery and feel as if you are doing something wrong. To evade, this "wrong" you continue lying, hoping for things to settle down soon.

 These might seem the normal reactions and feelings of a pandemic outburst. But when looked at in-depth, these reasons have a deep impact on the emotional and mental health of a team leader/employer.

Doubting your self-worth and wavering self-esteem issues: Being a leader always makes you feel like you are in control, the solution provider for all the problems but in the times of crisis, not being able to follow these qualities due to uncertainty might be a hard thing to digest. 

Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness rise to the brim: As nothing is in your control, you might start feeling helpless about any choice that you have to make. These feelings might not just limit themselves to your professional persona but creep into your personal life as well. Hopelessness might start reflecting in your home atmosphere where you lose interest in anything you are doing, don’t feel like pitching in or supporting your spouse in any household chores, stay removed from others and mentally are isolated.

Feelings of running away: The guilt of lying to everyone including yourself, the fear of seeing your dream crumble to ashes in front of you, the helplessness of not being able to stop things might make you want to run away. Escaping the situation is the only way to survive that you might think of during the crisis. You feel like no-one would understand you or your choice and blame you for everything they suffer from. These thoughts lead to your overthinking in a way that preys on your mental well-being.

 It is important for you to accept your problems. Once you accept the problems and are vocal about them, things start to seem less impossible. You lower the guilt of being responsible for people's pain and lying to them. Seek help of counsellors or consultants on how to break the worst of the news to your employees rather than leading them on.