How do you manage stress in the workplace – whether that workplace is at home or in the more conventional office? Do you have a process in place to help employees cope with the pressures of work?
Stress in the workplace is a common problem which contributes towards over 11 million working days lost. There are ways, as an employer, that you can help to de-stress the work environment leading to a happier, healthier and more productive workforce, says Rachel Irons of Complete Health and Protection.
Here are her top 5 tips for stress busting in the workplace:
1. Lend an ear – Sometimes the best stress-reducer is sharing your stress with someone. The act of talking can be a highly effective way of blowing off steam and regaining a sense of calm. You don’t need to necessarily fix the problem, but listening and sharing the weight can be a huge help.
2. Take a break – Deadlines and heavy workloads can often lead to shortened or even non- existent lunch hours, eating lunch on the go to get the job done. This is ok on the odd occasion, but if you notice that your employee is doing this on a regular basis; insist they take a break.
3. Slow down – If you see that your member of staff who is normally fastidious with their duties, starting to rush and make uncharacteristic mistakes, step in. Rushing a job can result in unnecessary errors and in turn cause more stress for your employee.
4. Get outside – Fresh air and exercise is a great way to lower stress levels. Taking a 10-minute walk outside, away from the office can improve mental and physical wellbeing.
5. Help prioritise – Working smarter, not harder means you are concentrating on tasks that will make a real difference. Time management is key, so if your member of staff is struggling with this, offer help and support to get on top of the situation
She continues; “Introducing an Employee Benefit can add huge value to your employee’s wellbeing, by providing services to provide solutions to workplace stress.
Here are just a few ideas:
Occupational Health – These types of policies can offer the service of an occupational health clinician to collaborate with employer in stress intervention to establish if the working environment is related to employee’s mental health.
Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7, 365 helpline with counsellors, legal and financial specialists offering help and advice on a range of problems from financial strife to mental health issues”.