How Fear & Uncertainty Affect Lone Worker Performance
How Fear and Uncertainty Impact Lone Worker Performance—and What Organizations Can Do About It
Lone workers—professionals who perform their duties alone, often in homes or visiting environments—face a distinct set of psychological and operational challenges. Whether showing homes, providing in-home care, or working in the field, these individuals frequently operate in unpredictable and unfamiliar settings. Among the most significant—and least discussed—risks they face is the impact of fear and uncertainty on workplace performance and overall well-being.
The Psychology of Fear
Fear is a natural human response to a perceived or anticipated threat. For lone workers, uncertainty, unfamiliar or unpredictable environments, and a lack of immediate support can trigger a persistent, low-level stress response in the body—even when no actual danger is present.
This type of stress is different from an acute “fight-or-flight” response to an immediate threat. Instead, it is prolonged uncertainty that activates the body’s stress system over extended periods of time.
Chronic stress elevates cortisol levels, which impairs key cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and decision-making, and hinders the ability to connect effectively with others. Over time, this affects not only performance, but also the mental and physical health of the worker.
The Effects
Research in organizational psychology consistently shows that fear—even at low levels—negatively impacts cognitive functioning.¹ For lone workers, this can result in:
- Increased mental fatigue
- Missed details and increased mistakes
- Communication breakdowns
- Decreased attention control
- Strain on interpersonal connection
- Difficulty processing new information
- Documentation errors
- Poorer judgment under pressure
When a worker is preoccupied with safety concerns—wondering who is coming and going, worrying whether anyone will know if they need help, or how to silently communicate distress—their attention is divided and performance suffers.
Additionally, the physical and mental effects of chronic stress contribute to lower job satisfaction and can spill over into reduced quality of life outside of work. On a broader scale, these impacts contribute to significant organizational costs, with low employee engagement costing companies trillions of dollars annually.²
How ForceField Protection Helps
ForceField Protection provides two critical solutions—mental and physical—for lone workers. The platform offers a sense of protection and support that helps reduce stress when entering unknown or unpredictable environments.
From a physical safety perspective, designated contacts know where the worker is, when they arrive, and whether they are in distress. However, geolocation alone is not sufficient. ForceField includes a silent panic button and touchless distress activation, ensuring help can be signaled even if the worker cannot access their phone.
From a psychological standpoint, the worker gains reassurance: “If I’m in distress, someone will know.” This sense of security reduces stress levels and mitigates the performance-related effects associated with fear and uncertainty.
This combination of support, connection, and protection helps ease anxiety and feelings of isolation—even when no incident occurs. It also reinforces that employees are valued, understood, and supported. Together, these factors improve workplace performance, enhance overall well-being, and contribute to a high-performance organizational culture.
References
- Pustovit, S., Miao, C., & Qian, S. (2024). Fear and workplace performance: A meta-analysis and future research directions. Human Resource Management Review, 34(3).
- Dennison, K., SPHR, CPRW, EC. (2024, July 16). Gallup says $8.8 trillion is the true cost of low employee engagement. Forbes.
For more information, contact
holly.roselle@forcefieldnow.com
