Stress. It can be a triggering word for some. But it’s something we all deal with in the modern workplace.
Deadlines loom, workloads pile high, meetings overrun. And with everyone constantly connected and ‘always on’, technology can blur the lines between work and personal life.
As a manager, sitting back and watching your teams grapple with stress can be disheartening. You know too much stress will impact their wellbeing. But much more than that, it also affects overall productivity, engagement – and their personal lives too.
If left unmanaged, it will also directly affect your company culture, spiraling out to others in your organization.
But it’s not a hopeless situation. Far from it. There are many things you can do to tackle stress at work. Starting today.
Stress at work – what does it actually mean?
In many work environments, a small amount of stress is expected.
In fact, some people work better when there is a small amount of pressure – perhaps a report that needs to be completed tomorrow, or a presentation rewrite by the end of the day. This is a normal part of many modern jobs that are driven by targets and deadlines.
But no two people are the same, and we all have different ways of coping. Some in your team may thrive, while others feel completely overwhelmed and on edge.
Burying your head in the sand is not an option! Stress it out there, for all of us, so getting on board and getting ready to deal with it is essential.
The key is to stay observant, and be aware of the signs someone in your team is feeling stressed and burned out.
Look out for the signs
Think about what a stressed-out person looks like, and what do you imagine? Head in hands, taking days off sick, perhaps even crying or shouting in the workplace?
The signs can actually be more subtle.
Someone overloaded with stress can start making simple mistakes, producing lower-quality work, or being less productive than they normally would. They can start to seem withdrawn or distant.
They may seem quieter in team meetings. Even headaches, fatigue and taking sick leave can all manifest.
As a leader, it’s essential to stay attuned to your team’s wellbeing. You could try putting in place regular one-on-one check-ins – these will help you identify stress before it becomes a bigger issue. These meetings should go beyond project updates – actually ask how they’re feeling and if they need any extra support.
Creating this safe space is a great way to help you embed an honest and non-judgmental environment. One where employees feel safe discussing their challenges – both at work and at home.
Also – lead by example. Be honest with your teams and talk openly about your own stressors and triggers. Show you are not immune to workplace stress, and get talking about it!
Getting to grips with the issue
We know tackling stress in your workplace might seem like a mammoth topic. So, where do you start?
Like all big tasks, it’s a case of breaking it down into smaller, manageable actions.
In response to these issues, we’ve put together a comprehensive new guide called: A Guide to Transforming Employee Engagement.
This guide covers stress in the workplace, but also many other topics such as how to start seeing the real people behind the statistics, understanding employee engagement, and more.
If you still haven’t downloaded your free copy, why not give it a read now?
Guide Download Here
Here to help
You are not alone. If you need help in tackling stress in your workplace, or any of the other worrying findings from the Gallup State of the Global Workplace Report*, please reach out to us.
We can provide you with a wide selection of tools that can improve the lives of your team members, both at work and at home.
Keep updated with the latest workplace updates by checking in with our blogs as we continue to address these topics over the next few months.
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