• Fears about going to work or engaging in business travel
  
• Fears about being in tall buildings
  
• Difficulty concentrating on work.
  
• Irritability, startle responses or increased anger on the job
  
• Increased alcohol and drug abuse
  
• Absenteeism due to physical illnesses, as expressions of underlying stress
  
• Impulsive or inappropriate business decisions
  
• Inappropriate sexual behavior, including harassment at work
  
• Depressive reactions, including delayed survivor guilt
  

According to Dr. Sulkowicz, who worked closely with corporate leaders immediately following the attacks, business people tend to use denial and immersion in work to avoid unpleasant feelings, but these defenses may not hold up in the coming weeks. Corporations should expect a wide range of reactions — some obvious, some subtle — in individuals and in groups. This may also vary depending on such factors as proximity to Ground Zero, knowing someone who died on September 11, the type of business, and differences in corporate culture and individual personality.

What can be done? Business leaders need to be aware of possible symptoms of September 11 anniversary reactions, actively look for them in their employees, and allow everyone in their organizations an opportunity to talk and reflect on their experiences in personal ways. Dr. Sulkowicz, a Principal at Katzenbach Partners LLC in New York, warns that pathological reactions go underground and affect business productivity if emotional responses are ignored or discouraged. Experts in group dynamics and trauma can be helpful in working with senior management and human resources professionals to anticipate and coordinate organizational responses. And managers, while maintaining high performance expectations, need to be particularly tolerant of these reactions in the time surrounding September 11.