It’s inevitable – everyone feels stressed with work sometimes.
A recent study found half of employees say they miss one to two days of work per year due to stress, and they sometimes come to work when they’re too stressed to be effective.
If a staffer’s feeling stressed out, co-workers often feel the effects through that person’s negative attitude or lack of focus. They end up “carrying the load” as a result.
Try these four tips to help make stress more manageable:
1. Coach supervisors/mentors
Sometimes a supervisor looming over a worker’s shoulders can make them feel like they need to hurry to get their job done. Or an employee can feel pressured if a senior staffer is constantly asking about their progress.
Huddle with your supervisors or senior staffers to make sure they aren’t being too watchful. If they’re inquiring about progress often, suggest that they don’t use a demanding tone if possible. How they say things can be as important as what they’re saying.
2. Remind folks to take breaks
Sometimes staffers will skip lunch or breaks if they’re feeling stressed about their to-do list. But breaks are a great way to combat stress.
Encourage workers to take the time they’re allotted. Even taking a short walk around the building can help relieve stress and boost energy levels.
3. Restructure teams
Does one employee feel like they have too much responsibility, while another doesn’t have any?
Ask your employees if their workload is manageable. If it seems overwhelming, restructure teams so the work is more evenly distributed.
