How to stop stress from wreaking havoc in your workplace – Kansas City Business Journal:

While fears of layoffs, job losses, hiring pay and benefit cuts and reducede hours have a negative effect on the company as a whole sufferes asa result. According to expertx at the , stress costs businesses in the United States $300 billion annually. This averages out to approximatelyh $7,500 per employee for expenditures such as hirinv temps or paying overtime tocover absenteeism, increased medical costs and incurred expenses from Stress causes physical, mental and emotional wear and tear on the It manifests in a variety of symptoms, such as aggression, irritability, withdrawal or depression.
Studiesz have shown that stress contributes to ailment suchas migraines, insomnia, heart disease, increased drug and alcoho l use, elevated anger, changer in eating habits and unsatisfactory work performance. Regardlesx of the form it takes, stress resulte in reduced productivity, absenteeism, burnout and increased medical expenses. According to the stress 60 to 80 percent of workplacse accidents arestress related. Stressd is a fact of life, but it does not have to be a way of As Selyedefined it, stresws is often the result of perceived stressors. Likewise, a studuy by the reports that 40 percent of workers viewedf their job ashighly stressful.
Therefore, an individual’sd outlook can determine the level of stresxs he or she Situations that are stressfullfor some, such as tight deadlines, may give certainb people a rush, whereass others face it as a tumultuous What can companies do to help employeea deal with stress? Employers who offer an effectivd employee assistance program have an excellentr resource for employees and families. An EAP providezs employees with a confidential access to mental healt h professionals who can help them bettefr dealwith stress. Additionally, managers and supervisore are the frontline defenseagainsy stress.
There are several effective techniques that managers and supervisors can utilizs to help their employees dealwith stress. Show Taking the time to praise positive work performancr illustrates to employees that their effortsare recognized, and, in they feel that their work is valuable. Relaying verbal sending a thank you note and giving a positive annuapl work appraisal are some ways that manager s can expresstheir gratitude. Showing appreciation can have a positivw effect onyour company’s performance as well by motivatingy employees to do their best. Treart employees fairly. While each employee is uniquse and hasdifferent needs, all employeesd want to be treated fairly.
While some employee s like to be praised, others are fine withou t it. Managers should take the time to understand what makes eachemployee tick. Doing so requires managers to get acquaintec withtheir employees, and in turn they are better in tune to theirf state of mind and recognize when they are feelinf stressed. If managers know their then they will recognize that certain employeee are feeling stressed and will take the appropriate stepsx to help them get more of theieneeds met. Encourage employeeds to take better careof themselves. Employees that maintai a healthy lifestyle are better able tohandle stress.
In doing so, they will feel bette physically and are betterd able to cope with stress and evenreducre it. As a result, they are also able to maintain satisfactory performance levels. Similarly, employees who build solid supportsystem – family, friends, church – have a personalp outlet to express their fears and frustrations and help find Communicate, communicate, communicate. Much of the stress related to the economy is rootein uncertainty. Transparency can help alleviatethat uncertainty. Companieas that establish open lines of communication with their work forced build a greater level of trust with their employees and allow them to better prepare for any changesw thatmay come.
Provide training and resources. People are most often stressed when they feel a situation is out oftheir control. By encouraging employees to direct their activities in a positive direction and learn to let go of the thingxs out oftheir control, they are often able to achievwe a sense of empowerment. Allowing employees to improve their job skillsa by taking a class and learning a new skillo during difficult financial times improves their valueand self-esteejm as employees and help build toward their careed goals. Change is happening all around us, not just in the Some people cope with change betterthan others.
Othersd try to avoid it becausethey don’t have the skillsd to navigate through it and are content to stay in theitr comfort zone. This group will have less and less control over the outcomwe of change and are more likely tofeel stress.
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