With geopolitical, technological, and economic turbulence becoming the norm, organisations must view employee wellbeing not as an HR benefit, but as a core component of Duty of Care, writes Sapna Pawa, medical advisor at International SOS
Not long ago, organisations mainly approached crises as isolated events. A natural disaster, political unrest or disease outbreak would trigger a crisis response, after which business could gradually return to normal operations
Today, disruption has become the operational environment itself. Geopolitical conflicts, economic volatility, rapid technological change, and an increasingly relentless news cycle have essentially changed how organisations operate
According to International SOS’ Risk Outlook 2026, nearly six in 10 leaders (57 per cent) report that new risks are emerging faster than they can manage, while 74 per cent say the window for making critical decisions is shrinking. Only 35 per cent are confident they can rapidly mobilise teams when crises occur
Organisations have responded by strengthening crisis management and business continuity plans. Investments in operational resilience, travel risk management, and emergency response capabilities have become increasingly commonplace. However, while operational resilience has improved significantly, one aspect of organisation resilience has struggled to keep pace: supporting employees psychologically during periods of prolonged uncertainty
Today’s workforce is no longer recovering from one crisis before the next begins. Even when events occur thousands of kilometres away, their effects are felt through heightened anxiety, information overload and concerns about what may come next
We have seen this shift first-hand. During the recent conflict in the Middle East, organisations sought support not only for security intelligence and operational advice, but also for practical ways to help employees remain calm, focused, and resilient while navigating rapidly evolving developments. These requests extended beyond employees directly affected by the conflict. Individuals also experience heightened anxiety driven by constant news updates and prolonged uncertainty
This highlights an important reality: psychological wellbeing is no longer simply an HR issue. Prolonged uncertainty can affect concentration, decision-making, productivity and overall performance, even when business operations themselves remain relatively stable
That is why resilience can no longer be measured solely by how quickly an organisation recovers from disruption. It must also reflect its ability to support its people before, during and after a crisis. Supporting employee wellbeing should not be viewed as a standalone initiative or an employee benefit, but as an integral component of organisational resilience and Duty of Care
Recognising this growing need, International SOS recently launched its Psychological Support Service, comprising practical 30-minute workshops designed to equip employees with coping strategies to manage stress, navigate prolonged uncertainty and build resilience during periods of disruption. Designed to be scalable and culturally adaptable, the sessions provide organisations with practical tools that can be deployed quickly across global workforces
Ultimately, organisations cannot predict the next geopolitical crisis, economic shock or technological disruption. What they can do is ensure their people are equipped to navigate uncertainty with confidence. The organisation that will thrive in the years ahead will not necessarily be those that experience fewer disruptions, but will be those that recognise that resilient organisations are built on resilient people
As a medical advisor for International SOS, Sapna Pawa provides medical expertise and advisory support to organisations and clients, drawing on her extensive background in emergency medicine and global health. Her international clinical experience enables her to support organisations in managing health risks and delivering timely medical guidance across a range of situations.
Prior to joining International SOS, Pawa served as an emergency medicine consultant in the UAE for nearly two years and spent seven years as an attending emergency physician at the University of Washington-Northwest Hospital in the US. In addition to her clinical practice, she has contributed to medical education by teaching at conferences and conducting bedside training across the US, Tanzania, India and Thailand
