We know that as employers, we have a legal and moral responsibility to ensure the welfare of our employees. It’s important that we start to put measures in place to ensure the well-being of our staff. In doing this, not only do we reduce absenteeism but we increase efficiency, productivity, motivation and happiness for the entire workforce.
I want to give you a few tips which you can implement today, to help you to manage work-related stress within your organisation:
Plan and Prioritise workload
Prioritising workload is key if you want to avoid stress. Work with your employee to define the tasks which are urgent and important for that day and week ahead. Give then support, delegate properly (don’t abdicate) and help them to stick to their plan, especially when other demands are placed throughout the day.
Stop the interruptions
Workers are interrupted seven times an hour, that’s around 2 hours of distraction per day! Talk to your employee about how to manage interruptions; suggest a strategy for coping, for example, having a set time of day to respond to emails and turn off notifications when they are completing a specific block of work.
Promote Openness
Offer up time in your diary when employees can approach you and discuss anything they are worried about. Help them to identify aspects of the stressor which they can control and aspects which they can’t. Let them know that you will be there to support them.
Reverse the Stress Response
When a stressful situation arises, suggest ‘time-out’ for your employee; recommend that they take a walk, get some air and to do some breathing exercises. Doing this will help to reverse their response to stress, helping to gain emotional control back and tackle the stressor in a more level-headed way.
Team Exercise
It is well documented that regular exercise brings greater resilience to stress. Encourage group activities, perhaps a run at lunchtime through the local park? Not everyone will get involved but if you are able to promote a healthy, active lifestyle, it may just rub off resulting in an afternoon of de-stressed staff, refreshed and energised for the afternoon ahead.
Implement Ongoing Stress Management Support
Consider a longer-term approach to stress-relief by implementing Stress Management support and training programmes.
Pinnacle offers a number of courses, including our 1-Day ‘Combatting and Controlling Stress’ course which teaches you how to:
- Overcome the physical symptoms of stress
- Achieve a relaxed state of mind
- Develop a healthy lifestyle
- Implement Mindful techniques
- Overcoming negative thinking patterns
Other courses include our flagship, ‘Peak Resilience Academy’ which has proven success in aiding delegates with building personal resilience to overcome barriers, difficult situations, stress and unwelcome outcomes or events.
Prevention is better than the cure and our services can help get you and your team into a good place to deal with what work and life can throw at you.
You may also be interested in our FREE ‘Overcoming Stress In The Workplace’ Webinar. Click here to send a message and find out when the next webinar will run
If you would like to talk to us about how we can help you with stress, or any stress-related symptoms, please do get in touch.
