ReductionWork pressureandstressin employees by management
Long working hours and high demands are major causes of work stress, but some employees also report unsuitable employers and coworkers and poor working conditions as reasons for their stress.
Such high levels of stress not only harm our health but also negatively affect businesses. Sick and burnt-out employees not only have lower productivity but are also more likely to file personal injury claims against employers, making employee mental well-being beneficial for both managers and employers.
Of course, eliminating all work-related stress is clearly impractical, as there are always times when employees have to stay late or face challenges. However, creating a method for employees to seek help during stressful times is essential. As a manager, if you find yourself in this position atSelMagzyou will discover many tricks to reduce employee stress.
Be a role model
Many employees, especially younger ones, are encouraged to follow their boss for career success. If you are in the office early, stay late every night, and eat lunch at your desk, your employees will likely follow your example.
Remember, you are responsible for creating your workplace culture. If your culture involves long hours and a poor work-life balance, you may be a big contributor to your employees’ stress levels. Somanage stressfirst, commit to balancing work and life by working reasonable hours, taking breaks, and enjoying quality time outside the office.
Encourage short breaks between work
Studies show that people are most productive when they take breaks every 120 minutes for 20 minutes. If you allow regular breaks, you will likely receive better results from your team.
This is another area where you can lead. Take short breaks to snack and talk with employees, or dedicate part of a meeting to brainstorming ideas for better breaks.
Listen to their concerns
Sometimes employees need a chance to share their thoughts and express work-related worries to relieve stress. However, many fear speaking to their boss as they do not want to appear incapable of handling their job. To be a successful and effective manager, you should not only have an open-door policy but actively follow it.
This means listening to employees’ work concerns with an open mind and helping them find solutions to problems that cause stress. If employees know they can be honest, and you will listen with compassion, stress will likely reduce.
Encourage teamwork among employees
Teammates are our support system at work, but if your team is inefficient and lacks good communication, stress-inducing problems may arise. A manager should encourage team members to communicate positively and constructively while building strong, reliable relationships free from drama.
When communication among team members is strong, there is greater accountability, better communication, and more trust. Include team-building activities in your employee meetings; if they know they can rely on one another and maintain good working relationships, conflicts and stress-inducing issues will decrease.
Create a pleasant work environment
No one wants to spend their day in a dirty, cluttered, noisy, and unpleasant environment. In fact, studies show that excessive clutter increases stress andanxietyand makes it harder to work.
You may not be able to change the layout or decor of your office environment, but you can encourage employees to keep their workspace tidy and maintain a low noise level.
Allow flexibility in work hours
While it may not be practical for all businesses, providing employees flexibility in when and where they work can greatly help reduce stress. Often, stress arises not only from work itself but also from managing responsibilities like children, spouses, and household duties alongside work.
Allowing them to work remotely or adjust their hours occasionally helps them maintain a better balance and manage stress levels effectively.
