How Employers can Combat Stress in the Workplace

Last month's instalment of our series on combating stress in the workplace looked at what employees could do to reduce Stress in the workplace.  This month, we take a look at what employers can do. 

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr Kenneth Nowack for his contributions on combating stress in the workplace.

Relieving stress...what employers can do

Employers can do quite a bit to help alleviate employee stress. Of course, there are constraints based on culture, economics, the industry one is in, and a host of other factors. Nevertheless, here are some general recommendations for helping reduce employee stress:

• Invest in talent management. Send the message to managers throughout the organisation that bad behaviour is unacceptable. Encourage and reward healthy management practices.

• Share information generously. Even under adverse circumstances, employees want to know what's going on. Yes, people will grumble and complain when they hear bad news. However, that is nothing compared to the resentment they will feel if they have been kept in the dark. Over-communicate!

• Manage the pace of change. To the extent possible, allow people a breather after a major change hits. Give them a chance to recuperate before the next one comes along.

• Establish a climate of openness and honesty. Make it safe for people to express themselves. Tell it like it is. Make sure people don’t fear retaliation if they speak out.

• Get the right person - job fit. Steer employees into jobs they can succeed at and have a passion for. Productive employees usually are the happiest (however, the opposite - that happy employees are productive - is an outdated myth). Give people jobs that challenge them but where success is attainable.

• Provide services employees can use for themselves and their families. Wellbeing programs, gyms, childcare centres, and other services mean a lot, especially when employees are encouraged to use them and there is no stigma attached.

• Have “family friendly” policies. Balance short term productivity costs with a longer term investment in people. Having generous flex time and maternity/paternity policies can help employees manage the stresses of work and home. Make it OK to use these services. Don’t just have them on the books, but informally discourage their use.

• Employ “fatigue countermeasures” to ensure that employee fatigue does not result in accidents and injuries. Review and control working hours, rotating shifts and policies surrounding work and travel schedules.

• Make sure employees know the organisation cares about their wellbeing. Provide appropriate avenues for people when they feel wronged. Let them know there is recourse beyond their immediate boss if their legitimate rights have been violated.

If you are interested in further information on StressScan, our tool for measuring levels of Stress, please click here.

If you are interested in more information on Stress, a FREE trial of StressScan, or if you have any questions to ask us, please do email us.