By Michelle Ann-Zoleta, Health & Safety Manager at Peninsula Canada
April is National Stress Awareness Month, and it brings attention to the negative effects of stress and how to best manage it. In today’s fast-paced world, it comes as no surprise that workplace stress is a common challenge. If left unmanaged, it can take a huge toll on one’s mental and physical wellbeing. However, there are effective strategies that employers can take to help reduce stress in the workplace.
What causes stress in the workplace? There isn’t only one cause of stress in the workplace. It depends on the nature of the job and the way the individual handles their stress. However, there are common factors across within workplaces that can contribute to feelings of stress.
Some of the examples include:
- Workload
- Lack of training and/or preparation
- Role conflict (conflicting job demands, too many roles, multiple supervisors/managers)
- Lack of clarity about job expectation and responsibilities
- No work/life balance
What can employers do to address stress in their workplace? It’s important to note that a stress-free workplace benefits your business by reducing employee turnover and boosting workplace morale and productivity.
Below are five ways employers can address stress in the workplace.
- Normalizing the conversation surrounding stress will help staff feel comfortable talking to their managers about how they’re feeling.
- Employers should assess the workplace for the risk of stress.
- Check in with staff on how their job is going in terms of deadlines, tasks, responsibilities, and see if you can provide additional resources or help.
- Recognize and celebrate good work.
- Offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support the mental health and wellbeing of your staff.
A global leader in HR and health & safety consulting, Peninsula has been supporting small and medium businesses for 40 years. We are trusted by over 140,000 SMB globally. In Canada, we helped over 6,500 SMBs with tailored HR documentation, 24/7 employer advice, and provide employment management software. We pride ourselves on delivering a service that mitigates risk, adds value, and allows businesses to focus their time on what matters most.
