Struggling with stress? We’ve got the solution.
As we would all know by now, when analysing and considering risks to the workplace, there aren’t just physical dangers associated directly with the job.
With the rise of Covid-19 and the multitude of lockdowns across the globe, mental health issues were at an all-time high, particularly when it came to workplace stress — working on the front lines, being isolated from peers, or wondering whether you even had a job to go to at all.
One silver lining from all of this is that it seems we’re finally living in a world where mental health is being taken seriously by employers, and talking about these issues is becoming more commonplace.
In 2022, the world is finally opening up, and more “normal” workplace stressors are reoccurring, but these shouldn’t be considered unimportant or less worthy than pandemic-related stressors. If anything, Covid-19 has shone a torch on what was previously swept under the rug, and it’s important for businesses to increase awareness of stress in the workplace and develop strategies, resources and support for handling it.
*Note: while the following guidance is from reputable sources, we’re not doctors! Always consult your physician for medical advice.
Identifying Stress
Everybody should be aware of the signs and symptoms of stress so they can identify when things are getting too much and act before more serious problems develop. It can be hard to identify stress in others, so it is important that employees can recognise symptoms in themselves and seek help.
The symptoms of stress fall into two categories: physical and non-physical.
Physical symptoms are often harder to identify as they can be easily dismissed as signs of other ailments. They can include:
Chest pain
Fatigue
Nausea
Diarrhoea
Constipation
Cold or flu-like symptoms
Muscle tension or pain
Fast or shallow breathing
Excessive sweating
Irregular sleep patterns or appetite
Non-physical symptoms can include:
Feeling overwhelmed, guilty or unhappy
Irritability
Indecisiveness
Loss of confidence
Negative thoughts
Racing thoughts
Excessive worrying
Memory problems
Safe Communication
Identifying the symptoms of stress is only the beginning. Employees must not only be on the lookout for the symptoms, but they need to feel like they can speak up if they are concerned about themselves or anyone else.
Speaking up can be daunting, so providing a system where employees can feel safe and secure saying something (without fear of judgement or punishment) is crucial.
If you can, the best way to facilitate this for your team is to integrate an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) into your business. Having this outlet will make it more likely that the stresses can be managed and reduced before they become a serious or chronic problem.
Reasonable Workloads
Overworking is an obvious stress-inducing factor, and maintaining reasonable work hours is only one part of the solution. Excessive workloads that are unachievable can leave employees feeling stressed and overwhelmed. In addition to setting reasonable working hours, the amount of work and work completion targets should be at achievable levels.
Clear Instructions
Ambiguity can be a major stress factor for many people. Unclear work assignments can lead to confusion and pressure.
Always set clear outlines for when and how tasks should be completed. Furthermore, make sure everybody assigned to a job has the relevant training and experience and provide top-up training where required.
Regular Breaks
Building on the strategies of setting reasonable workloads and clear instructions, it’s also important that employees receive regular breaks where they can unwind and decompress. If possible, providing access to gardens or relaxation rooms will help give employees a way to relax and unwind from work-related stresses. And if your team is WFH, check in with them to make sure they’re not glued to their desk all day, every day — it’s very easy to not take a break when there are no office distractions!
Food Choices
While we’re not nutritionists, we all know that diet can significantly influence mental health and stress. While it’s unlikely diet will cause a major issue by itself, it can be a contributing factor, and the right choices can help reduce stress levels.
Offering healthier, colourful options such as fruit and vegetables in the company canteen or break room can go a long way to help people feel more positive and less stressed.
Conflict resolution
Unfortunately, workplace conflict is also often unavoidable, and if left unresolved, it can fester and develop into a major stress factor. Focusing on handling and resolving conflicts quickly and fairly is a critical strategy in managing stress. For more information, check out our blog on conflict resolution here.
Decreased Downtime
Worker well-being is always the top priority when it comes to mental health, but it’s important to remember the bearing it also has on your business. Staff needing time off can temporarily halt production. Looking after your workers will reduce the amount of personal or sick leave and downtime, ultimately saving the company money.
How can Conserve help you with workplace stress?
Conserve’s industry-leading contractor and workplace safety management system can help you and your business implement and monitor strategies for managing stress. Using our system, you can:
Review workplace incident reports to detect trends that contribute to workplace stress
Verify training to ensure everybody is capable of their assigned tasks
Track job site allocations to prevent unreasonable travel and work hours
And much more!
Remember: you get what you give. If you look after your workforce and keep them happy, your business will reap the rewards in the long term.
Want to learn more about how we can help manage stress in your workplace? Get in touch with Conserve today, and subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates and insights!
