I can't imagine needing trauma counseling for a phone line dropping out for a minute or two, but here it is.
FAA to take immediate steps to address Newark airport fiasco https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/07/faa-newark-airport-communications-blackout-delays #Trumpadministration #UnitedAirlines #Airtransport #NewJersey #USnews
Discussion
It was trauma leave, according to the article. Not sure where you got the counseling part.
Newark airport is in some of the busiest airspace in the country. Being an ATC there is considered one of the most stressful jobs you could have if everything is working perfectly. Most people in first world countries don't experience the kind of extreme stress an equipment outage can cause these people. I think they deserve a couple of days off after a situation like this.
"Take a few days off & figure your trauma out at home" is an irresponsible response to this event frim the airport. Much safer for everyone involved including passengers to have them cleared before they return, so that's what I assumed. I guess given all this, the airport may just be the kind that would simply take the ATC workers at their word about their trauma recovery. 🙄
To shorten my reply: they deserve more than some time off, they deserve help from their employer.