Stressed? 7 ways Finance can dial down worry and tension

From the demands of staying in compliance with so many new laws to the abrupt changes the pandemic dropped on workplaces, many finance pros have noticed their departments’ stress levels have significantly increased.

And of course, chronic stress puts employees at greater risk of burnout.

For the sake of everyone in the department – including you – take a moment to consider these seven steps you can take to turn the dial down on worry and tension.

Ideas to help reduce stress

According to Robert Half, here’s what you can try:

1. Plan meetings with efficiency in mind. Deadline pressure in Finance is common, and no one wants to be called into a meeting that’s a waste of time. So, some good questions to ask yourself as you’re planning your next meeting are: “Is this meeting really necessary?” “Who needs to attend?” and “What’s the agenda?” Make changes as necessary.
2. Promote wellness at work. Your company may already offer physical and mental health benefits, but as a recent survey revealed, only about one-third of workers utilize them. They may need a little nudge.
3. Offer flexible work arrangements. Some top perks employees want are flexible schedules and the ability to work remotely. Consider if stressed staffers could be offered remote work arrangements, flextime or compressed workweeks.
4. Enhance collaboration with tech tools. Feeling disconnected and isolated in an organization adds to stress. Look for technology that enhances idea-sharing and communication in Finance.
5. Bring in reinforcements. Extra departmental support may be needed during your busiest times of year to keep stress at bay.
6. Assess your own work habits. If you’re constantly working, others may see that and follow your lead. The next time you want to send that late-night or weekend email, think twice.
7. Foster open communication. We all know the past few years have been tough, but employees may not realize they can open up about that. A little empathy can go a long way to reducing stress.