A little stress is part of every business. Work stress can be brought on by a number of reasons, such as increased workload, deadlines, changes in staffing or bullying. Any employer will know that stressed and unhappy employees are not the most productive and effective, which is why it pays to keep workplace stress at a minimum. Here’s what you should know about employee stress and how to reduce it.
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How work stress impacts employees and businesses
Some stress can help employees stay alert and productive at work. The issues come in when employees are suffering from chronic stress that diminishes their spark, creativity, and efficiency. A sure way your business can suffer from employee stress is through sick time. Some employees will turn up to work sick for fear of being penalized for calling out. In turn, this means that they infect other workers, causing less productivity in the whole team.
How employers can reduce employee stress:
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Encourage communication
If someone is struggling or getting bullied in the workplace, a manager should know about it. Employees should feel as if they can approach managers or someone in HR directly and not feel penalized for doing so.
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Allow breaks
Beyond lunch, employers should normalize disconnecting from work as it benefits mental health. Employees who check their emails and do other work-related tasks beyond normal hours can experience more stress. Encourage employees to step away from their desks and discourage constant contact.
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Support health and wellbeing
Eat right, get enough sleep, and exercise often. Taking care of mental and physical wellbeing should be a priority. If employees find it hard to switch off from work, you can advise yoga, meditation, or mindfulness. When they have better mental clarity, they may find managing their stress much easier.
For more information on hiring and retaining a healthy team for your business, contact the Economic Development Collaborative. Conveniently located in Camarillo, California, we’re here to help.
