The Impact Of Covid-19 On Mental Health

Research project
(Topic: To investigate the impact of covid-19 on mental health, well-being and work stress of
employees within restaurants organisation.” A case study of the United Kingdom)

ABSTRACT
Mental health and wellbeing within employees is an important concept for organisation
working as it directly impacts upon the productivity and profitability levels. The present
study will aims toward addressing the issues related to the mental health, wellbeing and work
stress within the covid-19 period faced by the employee is working in restaurant industry of
UK. However, the previous studies based on the similar topic have not considered the impact
upon all three factors by considering the covid-19. Within the present study it will evaluate
this topic by considering the concept of mental health, wellbeing and work stress among the
employees. Furthermore, the study will also evaluate impact of covid-19 on mental health
and wellbeing of employees working within restaurant organisation. This will further
evaluate the different challenges faced by the employees within covid-19 period that
impacted upon the mental health and wellbeing of employees and increases their work stress.
Finally the research will evaluate different strategies available to minimise impacts and
increase performance and productivity of employees. This research also contains use of
primary data analysis that will be based upon the survey questionnaire method. The research
represent oral findings in the end by considering the current situation and data analysis from
primary sources. Further, it also included different recommendations that can be followed to
improve the existing conditions.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I am extremely grateful to be a part of this study as the primal dynamics associated with this
study holds a greater significance in societal domain. The study was helpful for me in
outlining the magnitude of health act associated with stress and mental wellbeing within
restaurant sector of United Kingdom. In addition the study was helpful for me in magnifying
my analytical skills by navigating through vast database and highlighting reliable shreds of
evidence. I was overwhelmed by the support of my tutor and my fellow classmates in
overcoming the obstacles in the course of completion of this study.
Thank you

Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................5
1.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................5
1.2 Background......................................................................................................................5
1.3 Research objectives..........................................................................................................5
1.4 Significance of the research.............................................................................................6
1.5 Research questions...........................................................................................................6
1.6 Justifications.....................................................................................................................6
1.7 Limitations.......................................................................................................................7
1.8 Organization of project....................................................................................................7
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW.....................................................................................................7
2.1 Introductions....................................................................................................................7
2.2 Background of the study..................................................................................................8
2.3 Research problems...........................................................................................................8
2.4 Details about COVID 19..................................................................................................9
2.5 Stress................................................................................................................................9
2.6 Restaurants trade in the UK.............................................................................................9
2.7 To investigate the notion of work stress in an employee...............................................10
2.8 To identify the impact of covid-19 on mental health and well-being of employees
working within restaurants organisation in the UK.............................................................11
2.9 To understand the challenges restaurants organisation face in managing mental health,
well-being and work stress of employees within the UK....................................................12
2.10 To determine the strategies for managing mental health, well-being and work stress in
restaurants, organisation employees.....................................................................................14
2.0 METHODOLOGY........................................................................................................16
3.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................16
3.2 Research methodology...................................................................................................16

3.3 Research onion...............................................................................................................16
3.4 Research philosophy......................................................................................................16
3.5 Research approach.........................................................................................................17
3.6 Research strategy...........................................................................................................17
3.7 Research choice..............................................................................................................18
3.8 Time horizons.................................................................................................................18
3.9 Data collection...............................................................................................................18
3.10 Data analysis................................................................................................................19
3.11 Sampling......................................................................................................................19
3.12 Ethical consideration....................................................................................................19
3.13 Summary......................................................................................................................20
4.0 DATA ANALYSIS............................................................................................................20
4.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................20
4.2 Data analysis..................................................................................................................20
4.3 Findings..........................................................................................................................23
4.5 Summary........................................................................................................................24
5.0 DISCUSSION....................................................................................................................24
5.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................24
5.2 Discussion......................................................................................................................24
Objective 1: The concept of work stress in an employee.....................................................24
Objective 2: Impact of covid-19 on mental health and well-being of employees...............24
Objectives 3: Challenges in front of restaurant organisation to management and health and
well-being within employees...............................................................................................25
Objectives 4: The strategies for managing mental health, well-being and work stress and
restaurant businesses among employees..............................................................................26
5.3 Limitation.......................................................................................................................27
5.4 Summary........................................................................................................................28
6.0 CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS....................................................................28

6.1 Conclusion......................................................................................................................28
6.2 Recommendation............................................................................................................30
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................32
APPENDIX..............................................................................................................................36

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
Mental health management of work stress and appropriate well-being is an essential aspect
within an employee's life that needs to be managed appropriately (Pilgrim, D., 2019). It
identifies the covid-19 has impacted adversely upon the functioning of organisations and
resulted in several deaths. There are 1.35 million deaths, and 73.4 million people have been
infected the whole covid-19 UK (WHO, 2021). It also advocated the mental health, well-
being and work stress of employees. Covid-19 hurts the hospitality businesses that include
restaurant organisations (Coronavirus disease, 2021). This chapter within the report will
consider the impact of covid-19 on mental health and the work stress of employees working
within the restaurant organisation in the UK.
1.2 Background
Covid-19 harms the world economy where a large section of society is facing difficulties due
to it. It is evaluated that covid-19 has approximately 46 million deaths. It clearly shows the
impact of covid-19 upon overall performance (WHO, 2021). It is further identified that
covid-19 also impacted adversely upon restaurant businesses to the UK. Due to covid-19, the
government must impose a lockdown order between 20th March 2020 and 4th July 2020. It
resulted in closing the operation of cafes and restaurants within the UK (Economics
observatory, 2021). A limited number of restaurants are open for delivery and takeaway, but
the industry was the shadow of its operations. Across Britain, there are a 9.7 % decline in
restaurant number and comparison to the before covid-19 (Economics observatory, 2021). It
directly relates to increased stress, mental pressure, and the well-being of employees working
within the restaurant industry. Several individuals have to quit their job because of the non-
mobility of business. Furthermore, employees were working upon delivery, and other aspects
are also facing difficulties as they working in covid-19 increased the chances of getting
infected and increased workload because of the limited availability of restaurants (Bufquin et
al., 2021). These impacts are evaluated within this research and are critically examined by
considering reports, articles, and previous research by different scholars to evaluate and
achieve appropriate outcomes.

1.3 Research objectives
Aim: “To investigate the impact of covid-19 on mental health, well-being and work stress of
employees within restaurants organisation.” A case study of the United Kingdom.
Objectives:
 To investigate the notion of work stress in an employee
 To identify the impact of covid-19 on mental health and well-being of employees
working within restaurants organisation in the UK.
 To understand the challenges restaurants organisation face in managing mental health,
well-being and work stress of employees within the UK.
 To determine the strategies for managing mental health, well-being and work stress in
restaurants organisation employees.
1.4 Significance of the research
The present research is based on investigating the impact of covid-19 on mental health and
well-being and work stress within employees working in the restaurant business. This
research is significant in providing adequate information about the various challenges
associated with the mental health and well-being of employees in the restaurant industry and
the impact of lockdown and covid-19 upon their performance. It is also significant in
providing adequate information regarding the problem faced by employees at the time of
covid-19. Furthermore, research is also significant in underlining the strategic options
available for the employees working in restaurant organisations to manage their mental
health, well-being and work stress at the time of covid-19.
1.5 Research questions
 What is the notion of work stress in an employee?
 What are the impacts of covid-19 on the mental health and well-being of employees
working within restaurants organisation in the UK?
 What are the challenges restaurants organisations faces in managing the mental
health, well-being and work stress of employees within the UK?
 What are the strategies for managing mental health, well-being and work stress in
restaurants organisation employees?