Managing Employee Stress

Employee stress is a problem, for every employee, at every company. Although stress can at times bring out the best in some individuals too much of it can lead employees to become unhappy and inefficient.

Employee burnout has become a huge problem. According to a survey administered by Kronos Incorporated, 46% of human resource professional respondents (at organizations with 100 to over 2,500 employees) blame burnout for up to half of their staff quitting each year. But before employee stress and burnout reaches this point team leaders and managers must work towards managing stress levels in the workplace, even if it is not included in their KRA (Key Reporting Areas).

Here are four ways team leaders and managers can better manage  and prevent employee stress:

Don’t encourage overtime

Organization leaders can sometimes unknowingly add to an employees stress levels. Employees who work extra hours, even when the work is proceeding past the deadline, can become overwhelmed and overworked.

Limit multitasking

Multi-tasking sometimes seems like the only option when juggling a heavy workload but in fact, research shows that multitasking drains the energy reserves in the brain, bouncing around from task to task deteriorates the muscles allowing you to focus. 

Listen

Showing that you care can go a long way, create an open door policy and make yourself available to listen to employees. When employees feel that you genuinely care about them, they will reciprocate by being more productive and helping you take your business to the next level.  

Be flexible

Today’s employees are looking for a balanced work life. Companies today are beginning to offer hybrid schedules where employees can work for home on certain days or allow them to leave the office earlier and finish their remaining work from home at a later time. Providing a flexible work environment means employees can work with more freedom while ensuring the deadlines are met.

Time has changed the way we work. With an increase in work demand, many employees get stressed and burnt out. By helping employees manage their stress you will see better productivity which in turn translates into happier clients and better ROI.