In this difficult economy, workplace stress is a very real occurrence. We may find it harder than ever to cope with challenges on the job. Both the stress we take with us when we go to work and the stress that awaits us on the job are on the rise - and employers, managers, and workers all feel the added pressure. Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) survey of over 5000 workers indicated that 25% of workers were taking time off each year for stress-related reasons.
This high level of workplace stress leads to increased accident rates and other occupational health and safety (OHS) problems. This has proven to be a very costly exercise in relation to the bottom line in terms of lost time, increased insurance premiums and a less productive workforce.
Stress in the workplace reduces productivity, increases management pressures, and makes people ill in many ways, evidence of which is still increasing. Workplace stress affects the performance of the brain, including functions of work performance; memory, concentration, and learning.
These are typical causes of workplace stress:
- Lack of job security
- Bullying or harassment, by anyone, not necessarily a person's manager
- Feeling powerless and uninvolved in determining one's own responsibilities
- Continuous unreasonable performance demands
- Lack of effective communication and conflict resolution
- Long working hours
- Excessive time away from home and family
- Office politics and conflict among staff
- A feeling that one's reward is not commensurate with one's responsibility
- Working hours, responsibilities and pressures disrupting life-balance (diet, exercise,
- Sleep and rest, play, family-time, etc)
While some stress is a normal part of life, excessive stress interferes with your productivity and reduces your physical and emotional health, so it's important to find ways to keep it under control. Fortunately, there is a lot that you can do to manage and reduce stress at work.
Tips for Managers / Employers:-
Improve communication:
- Share information with employees to reduce uncertainty about their jobs and futures.
- Clearly define employees' roles and responsibilities.
- Make communication friendly and efficient, not mean-spirited or petty.
Consult your employees:
- Give workers opportunities to participate in decisions that affect their jobs.
- Consult employees about scheduling and work rules.
- Be sure the workload is suitable to employees' abilities and resources; avoid unrealistic deadlines.
- Show that individual workers are valued.
Offer rewards and incentives:
- Praise good work performance verbally and institutionally.
- Provide opportunities for career development.
- Promote an "entrepreneurial" work climate that gives employees more control over their work.
Cultivate a friendly social climate:
- Provide opportunities for social interaction among employees.
- Establish a zero-tolerance policy for harassment.
- Make management actions consistent with organisational values.
Tips for employees:
- Before approaching a task, you should plan the flow of work and organise yourself before starting the actual work.
- Laughter is said to be the best medicine. You should try to see the humor element in any situation and laugh it off rather than allowing an unpleasant situation to get to you.
- When you feel stressed you should try out some deep-breathing exercises.
- You should keep fit. A fit body leads to an agile mind that can easily cope with stress.
- Sharing a stressful situation with friends can help to ease the stress.
- An unbalanced diet causes health problems that may percolate to the workplace. Intake of vitamins and minerals will also help.
- Take stress head-on and don't allow it to get to you. Analyse the situation that is causing stress and try to find solutions.
Final thought:
Not much is known about the physiology of crying and tears, although many find that crying has a powerful helpful effect on stress levels. Whatever the science behind crying, a good bout of sobbing and weeping does seem to release tension and stress for many people.
Of course how and where you choose to submit to this most basic of emotional impulses is up to you. The middle of the boardroom during an important presentation to a top client is probably not a great idea, but there are more private situations and you should feel free to try it from time to time if the urge takes you. Whatever, shedding a few tears can be a very good thing now and then, and if you've yet to discover its benefits then give it a try. You might be surprised!
