4 Steps to Combat Worker Stress

Studies show employees miss a couple of days of work every year due to stress. Then there are the folks who come into work anyway but are too stressed to be as effective as they normally are.

If a staffer is feeling stressed, co-workers often feel the effects through that person’s negative attitude or lack of focus. They end up “carrying the load” as a result.

Try these four tips to help make stress more manageable:

1. Coach Your Managers & Supervisors

A supervisor looming over a worker’s shoulders can make them feel like they need to hurry to get their job done. Or an employee can feel pressured if a manager is constantly asking about their progress.

Huddle with your managers to make sure they aren’t being too watchful. If they’re inquiring about progress often, suggest that they don’t use a demanding tone if possible. How they say things can be as important as what they’re saying.

2. Remind People to Take Breaks

Sometimes staffers will skip lunch or breaks if they’re feeling stressed about their to-do list. But breaks are a great way to combat stress, particularly if exercise such as running, lifting weights or playing pickle ball, is involved.

Encourage workers to take the time they’re allotted. Even taking a short walk around the building can help relieve stress and boost energy levels.

3. Restructure Teams If Needed

Does one employee feel like they have too much responsibility, while another feels he or she doesn’t have enough? From time to time, ask employees if their workload is manageable. If it seems overwhelming, restructure teams so the work is more evenly distributed.

Team leaders may need to step in and carry some of the extra load, if need be. The same goes for if it’s a team leader who’s being stretched too far — in those cases, team members may be willing and able to pitch in.

4. Vocalize the Benefits of Time Off

It never hurts — in fact, it can help a lot — if managers ask staffers about their weekend or vacation plans. Sometimes sharing a planned trip on the schedule can get a conversation going.

Double benefit: When employees hear that the folks in charge take and enjoy their time away from the office, they’re more likely to take off that Friday or Monday to unwind. What they absorb is that personal time is a positive experience that every employee needs and deserves.