Health Wise: Stress in the workplace

Health Wise: Stress in the workplace

Health Wise: Stress in the workplace

With our lives becoming busier and busier, it’s no surprise that stress in the workplace are on the rise. Workers are finding it increasingly difficult to switch off from work-mode and relax after the working day has finished, which is causing stress in the workplace to soar and productivity to plummet.

We’ve already looked at how encouraging well-being in the workplace can improve the mental health of staff and tackle work-related stress. 

As stress-related illnesses are one of the biggest causes of staff absence, it’s crucial that employers recognise the signs of stress and know when their staff are ‘burning the candle at both ends’.

A healthy workforce is a happy workforce. The good news is that with just a few tweaks to your working environment, workplace stress can be easily managed and reduced, creating a more positive and productive workforce.

Know your employees

Everyone is different, which means that some people are able to tolerate much higher levels of stress than others. This doesn’t mean that these people should be taken advantage of, though. It’s important that you consider the following:

It’s important that you consider the following:

  • Do all of your employees understand their roles and responsibilities, and what is expected of them?
  • Do staff have the resources, training, and support available to them that they need to do their jobs effectively?
  • Are there any conflicts within the environment? If so, are these being dealt with?

An open-door policy

Communication is key. It’s important that staff find their employers approachable. An open-door policy can help with this, as it encourages staff to come forward if they have any issues.

If you think your employees are struggling with their workload, talk to them about it. Of course, it’s important that you broach the subject with a degree of sensitivity, as it can come across as added pressure if you are too abrupt.

Similarly, if an employee approaches you with concerns about work-related stress, it’s important that you’re not dismissive.

If you create a support network, employees will feel more at ease and be more likely to talk to you before their stress levels get too much.

Managing stress in the workplace

The most important thing you can do is talk to your employees about their specific needs and see what you can do to make them feel more comfortable and relaxed.

You’ll need to establish any triggers that could be contributing to stress levels and take steps to improve the situation.

The right occupational health strategy can help to improve workplace well-being and reduce staff absences.

If you need help tackling stress in the workplace, get in touch with our team for more advice.