The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) notes that 40 percent of workers describe their job as “very stressful,” and that 26 percent say they are “often or very often burned out” by stress at work.
Stress is one of the leading causes of job dissatisfaction, lowered productivity, career derailment, and many health problems. While no job is stress-free, workers and companies alike can take steps to reduce the amount of damaging stress while encouraging the kind of goal-oriented approach that helps employees do their best work without burning out. Here’s how:
Make sure employees have what they need to do their jobs.
According to the NIOSH, the most common source of job-related stress is a situation in which the demands of the job don’t match the capabilities, tools, or support available for the worker. Both employees and employers can take steps to identify situations in which this mismatch causes stress and work to alleviate it.
Ask employees for specific feedback on the support and tools they need to do their jobs, and work to provide these. Mentoring programs or help with tuition costs can ensure that workers have the knowledge and support they need – resulting in less stress, increased productivity, and higher-quality results.
Consider implementing a stress management program.
Companies that offer stress management training and an employee assistance program help their workers cope with stressful situations more effectively – and reap the results. Nearly half of all large employers in the U.S. offer such programs, according to the NIOSH. In a stress management program, workers learn how to identify stressors, how to spot and avert stress-related health issues, and how to reduce stress with tools like relaxation exercises.
Take a hard look at your organization’s workflows.
Research by the NIOSH has found that stress management programs work best when they are combined with a close look at the company’s workflows and working conditions. This analysis helps the company identify the most stressful aspects of each employee’s job, such as excessive workloads or conflicting expectations, and find ways to reduce or eliminate them. By removing unnecessary stressors from the workplace, companies free up employees to do better work without facing health risks or burnout.
At Marquee Staffing, our experienced recruiters strive to connect job seekers with the companies that provide the right cultural “fit” for minimum stress and maximum career growth. Contact us today to learn more.
