Feeling stressed-out at work is something almost everyone has experienced at one time or another. However, if left unaddressed, it can have a profound effect on the productivity of an organization and the mental well-being of its employees.
stress management
The 3 Cs of return-to-work communication
A common misconception about a workplace accommodation is that it involves providing an employee with a new chair or an ergonomic keyboard. This simply is not the case, as many return-to-work or stay-at-work efforts involve a mental health need. In fact, I recently assisted a 34-year-old employee return to work after a short-term disability leave prompted by depression and anxiety.
Getting a handle on employee job stress: Part two
In my first post on handling employee job stress, I walked through ways employers could spot the signs of stress, along with a few tips to increase communication with employees around this issue. As a next step, you also can consider some out-of-the-box solutions that can be very effective in helping employees alleviate mind and body stress at work.
Getting a handle on employee job stress: Part one
If your employees were dealing with job-related stress, would you be able to recognize the signs? Would you choose to address it or do nothing at all? Employees are trying to deal with heavier workloads and increased responsibility in the workplace (aka “doing more with less”), which is leading to excessive stress and, in return, lower productivity. Where some employers shy away from addressing the issue head on, you and your management team might consider intervention as an option. This first post in a two-part series will offer ways you can take charge of employee job stress in your workplace.
Reduce absences and related costs with a holistic approach
Does your company have a workplace health management program in place? Workplace health management programs, such as EAP, disease management and wellness initiatives, can help improve the bottom line. In fact, medical costs fall by about $3.27 for every dollar spent on wellness programs, and absenteeism costs fall by about $2.73 for every dollar spent, according to a Health Affairs article.[1]
Can effective communication improve mental health?
Imagine if you were feeling totally overwhelmed at work and at home. Perhaps you have a lot of anxiety regarding your finances, your spouse or your children. Or maybe the demands at work have increased due to a reduction in the workforce at your company, and you have more stress than ever before.
Now consider if you were this overwhelmed and you tried to discuss it with your manager, but he or she was too busy or too distracted to listen. On the other hand, what impact could a manager have on an employee if the manager was willing and trained to help employees improve their personal situations?