How to Manage Workplace Stress
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This document discusses workplace stress, its causes and effects. It notes that approximately 40% of employees experience daily stress or anxiety at work. Workplace stress costs U.S. employers an estimated $200 billion annually in costs like absenteeism and medical expenses. Common causes of workplace stress include heavy workloads, unrealistic expectations, lack of work-life balance, and poor relationships. Left unaddressed, prolonged stress can negatively impact employee health, morale and work performance. The document advises managers to watch for warning signs of stress and have conversations with affected employees to address issues and connect them to resources for better stress management.
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How to Manage Workplace Stress
- 1. WWW.SHAPINGCHANGE.COM.AU A 4-PART SERIES BY ROS CARDINAL WORKPLACE STRESS HOW TO MANAGE
- 2. WWW.SHAPINGCHANGE.COM.AU HOW TO MANAGE WORKPLACE STRESS WORKPLACE STRESS HOW TO MANAGE In this installment of our 4-part series, we'll review the causes of workplace stress as well as the stress warning signs that leaders and managers should look out for in their employees.
- 3. WWW.SHAPINGCHANGE.COM.AU HOW TO MANAGE WORKPLACE STRESS WORKPLACE STRESS HOW TO MANAGE According to a recent study, approximately 40% of employees experience persistent stress or excessive anxiety on a daily basis in the workplace.
- 4. WWW.SHAPINGCHANGE.COM.AU HOW TO MANAGE WORKPLACE STRESS WORKPLACE STRESS HOW TO MANAGE Karen Higginbottom over at Forbes writes, “Employees suffering from high stress levels have lower engagement, are less productive and have higher absenteeism levels than those not working under excessive pressure…”
- 5. WWW.SHAPINGCHANGE.COM.AU HOW TO MANAGE WORKPLACE STRESS WORKPLACE STRESS HOW TO MANAGE “The economic consequences also are alarming,” writes Rebecca Maxon over at Fairleigh Dickinson University. “Workplace stress costs U.S. employers an estimated $200 billion per year in absenteeism, lower productivity, staff turnover, workers’ compensation, medical insurance and other stress-related expenses."
- 6. WWW.SHAPINGCHANGE.COM.AU HOW TO MANAGE WORKPLACE STRESS WORKPLACE STRESS HOW TO MANAGE Apart from the effects experienced by the employing company and the overall economy, however, stress can also be harmful to the employee herself.
- 7. WWW.SHAPINGCHANGE.COM.AU HOW TO MANAGE WORKPLACE STRESS WORKPLACE STRESS HOW TO MANAGE Increased levels of job stress, for instance, have been demonstrated to be associated with increased rates of heart attack, hypertension and other disorders.
- 8. WWW.SHAPINGCHANGE.COM.AU HOW TO MANAGE WORKPLACE STRESS WORKPLACE STRESS HOW TO MANAGE Even the United Nations’ International Labor Organization has defined occupational stress as a “global epidemic.”
- 9. WWW.SHAPINGCHANGE.COM.AU HOW TO MANAGE WORKPLACE STRESS WORKPLACE STRESS HOW TO MANAGE The question is: Why are so many employees stressed?
- 10. WWW.SHAPINGCHANGE.COM.AU HOW TO MANAGE WORKPLACE STRESS WORKPLACE STRESS HOW TO MANAGE There are many contributing factors to workplace stress, but some of the more popular ones include: low salary, lack of job security, a heavy workload, unrealistic job expectations, long hours, lack of recognition, lack of opportunities for growth, an unpleasant working environment, and negative relationships with coworkers.
- 11. WWW.SHAPINGCHANGE.COM.AU HOW TO MANAGE WORKPLACE STRESS WORKPLACE STRESS HOW TO MANAGE Over time, all of these factors can continue to add and build up, leading to low morale and, in some cases, even depression among employees.
- 12. WWW.SHAPINGCHANGE.COM.AU HOW TO MANAGE WORKPLACE STRESS WORKPLACE STRESS HOW TO MANAGE That’s because, according to an article on www.managementstudyguide.com, “even relatively slight stress distracts an employee. People facing stress concentrate more on the repulsive feelings and emotions rather than on the work/job at hand and consequently their work performance suffers. Stress affects people’s intellectual, emotional, and interpersonal functioning.”
- 13. WWW.SHAPINGCHANGE.COM.AU HOW TO MANAGE WORKPLACE STRESS WORKPLACE STRESS HOW TO MANAGE So how can leaders become more aware of workplace stress? One way is to simply know the warning signs and symptoms of stress among employees.
- 14. WWW.SHAPINGCHANGE.COM.AU HOW TO MANAGE WORKPLACE STRESS WORKPLACE STRESS HOW TO MANAGE These warning signs and symptoms may look as follows: deterioration in work performance, missed deadlines, more error-prone work, trouble concentrating, absenteeism, arriving late, leaving early, and loss of interest in work.
- 15. WWW.SHAPINGCHANGE.COM.AU HOW TO MANAGE WORKPLACE STRESS WORKPLACE STRESS HOW TO MANAGE Other warning signs and symptoms include overreacting, arguing, irritability, anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, headaches, deteriorating health, over-eating or under-eating, excessive smoking, fatigue, and sleeplessness.
- 16. WWW.SHAPINGCHANGE.COM.AU HOW TO MANAGE WORKPLACE STRESS WORKPLACE STRESS HOW TO MANAGE Managers and leaders should be on the lookout for these common signs of workplace stress. If you feel an employee may be struggling with coping with their stress, don’t be afraid to pull them aside and express your concern. Sometimes, an employee may just need a listening ear to express themselves.
- 17. WWW.SHAPINGCHANGE.COM.AU HOW TO MANAGE WORKPLACE STRESS WORKPLACE STRESS HOW TO MANAGE Other times, your intervention may be just what they need to connect with the right resources and learn more about better stress management.
- 18. WWW.SHAPINGCHANGE.COM.AU HOW TO MANAGE WORKPLACE STRESS WORKPLACE STRESS HOW TO MANAGE “Creating a psychologically healthy workplace is good for employees and business results,” says Norman B. Anderson, PhD, chief executive officer of the American Psychological Association. “This is a growing trend and it is our hope that all organizations will eventually have some type of psychologically healthy workplace program.”
- 19. WWW.SHAPINGCHANGE.COM.AU HOW TO MANAGE WORKPLACE STRESS WORKPLACE STRESS HOW TO MANAGE In Part 2 of this series, we'll review helpful strategies leaders and managers can use to assist their employees in managing workplace stress effectively in order to create a healthier work environment.
- 20. WWW.SHAPINGCHANGE.COM.AU HOW TO MANAGE WORKPLACE STRESS WORKPLACE STRESS HOW TO MANAGE We hope you enjoyed this presentation! Visit www.shapingchange.com.au for more resources on leadership development, change management, emotional intelligence, and more!