{"id":42941,"date":"2020-01-27T12:16:24","date_gmt":"2020-01-27T17:16:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/?p=42941"},"modified":"2021-04-23T16:35:24","modified_gmt":"2021-04-23T20:35:24","slug":"5-ways-reduce-employee-stress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/5-ways-reduce-employee-stress\/","title":{"rendered":"1 in 5 Employees Quits Because of Stress. Here’s How to Avoid That"},"content":{"rendered":"
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According to research, stressed-out employees have decreased productivity and a higher rate of absences. (Photo: Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

According to the\u00a0American Institute of Stress<\/u><\/a>, 80 percent of workers feel stress<\/a> on the job. This stress causes problems<\/a> for both the employee and the employer. For example, 62 percent of workers experienced neck pain by the end of the day and 44 percent had stressed-out eyes. It\u2019s been documented that stressed workers have lower productivity<\/a> and increased absenteeism; 19 percent have quit a position because of stress.<\/p>\n

For the sake of your employees and your company, think about how you can help employees reduce their work-related stress.<\/p>\n

1. Set realistic job expectations<\/h5>\n

Many employees feel overworked and underpaid. In a quest to improve profitability, fewer workers are asked to do the work that more workers handled before. As a business owner, get real about what an employee should be expected to do, and be sure that compensation is commensurate with that work. My mentor has repeatedly told me to \u201cdo the best you can in the time you have.\u201d Demanding perfection, from yourself or your staff, only increases stress.<\/p>\n

[Related: 3 Ways to Tackle Your Money Stress Solo<\/a>]<\/em><\/p>\n

Allow employees to have work-life balance by not requiring them to work after business hours. Refrain from communication with employees when their work day is done.<\/p>\n

2. Encourage communication<\/h5>\n

Some experts suggest that employees should have a say in their work assignments as a way to lessen stress. Whether this is practical in your company depends on your situation.<\/p>\n

If your company is undergoing change\u2026a merger or sale, retirement of an owner or key employee\u2026it\u2019s helpful to discuss matters with everyone rather than leave things to be whispered about. During the Great Recession, stress levels from impending layoffs skyrocketed. Explanations of actual layoffs would have alleviated the stress of some staff members rather than putting everyone through the uncertainty.<\/p>\n

3. Make safety a priority<\/h5>\n

Unsafe and unhealthy working conditions can cause stress. Be sure your facilities comply with OSHA requirements. Consider obtaining a free\u00a0OSHA on-site consultation<\/u><\/a>\u00a0to identify workplace hazards and obtain advice for compliance. This does not result in any penalties or citations, but requires you to correct problems that are found to avoid adverse actions in the future.<\/p>\n

Another workplace danger is, unfortunately, violence\u2026domestic violence, violence from co-workers, or violence from outside sources (e.g., robberies). Stress (perhaps from personal issues outside the workplace) can cause violence; the threat of violence can cause stress. Determine what can be done to improve protection for employees, such as increased security for access to your premises, security systems with cameras, and information that employees can use to deal with domestic violence. Review the\u00a0DOL\u2019s Workplace Violence Program<\/u><\/a>, which includes early warning signs and emergency responses, to make policy changes in your business.<\/p>\n

[Related: Easing Parental Stress with Technology<\/a>]<\/em><\/p>\n

4. Create a stress-free environment<\/h5>\n

Naturally, there\u2019s only so much an employer can do to set up a workplace that\u2019s stress-free. But there are things that can be done to help.<\/p>\n