A majority of employers are unwittingly exasperating their staffers’ already high stress levels. Could you be guilty?
The average worker spends 2.8 hours a day worrying about personal job concerns (company layoffs, losing his or her job, etc.), according to a survey by Lynn Taylor Consulting, a management-training firm.
And an astounding 76% of those surveyed said they get nervous when they see the manger’s door is shut, an action that commonly sparks worst-cases scenarios like company-wide layoffs.
The “boss behaviors” that trigger the most fear and represent possible exit signs to employees include:
- closing the door more often
- an increased number of private conferences, and
- decreased direct communication.
Of course, managers can’t be expected to keep their doors open at all times or cut back on necessary private conferences. Therefore, experts suggest that employers increase proactive communication with employees. Example: Offering reassurances and positive feedback goes a long way toward easing workers’ worries and even boosting production.
