Control, knowledge help reduce stress in the workplace

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Feeling a little stressed out lately? Who isn't? Broader responsibilities, thinner staff levels, tougher competition... If you're feeling the heat, you're not alone. Millions of Americans are feeling out of control and burned out. If you need more convincing, just look at the sharp increase in workplace violence.

During the eighties, companies launched stress-reduction measures that were designed to help us manage stress and improve our wellness. And although well-intended, solutions like fitness programs and meditation only treat the symptoms once they appear-- they don't treat the causes of stress.

Some will argue that you can never prevent stress from occurring-and they're right. And totally eliminating stress would take the excitement out of work. But for years we have put all the responsibility for controlling excessive stress on the employee rather than on the organization, where it is created.

And although workplace changes are usually blamed for giving birth to new stresses, some of the changes weigh in on the positive side for sanity. Some of the changes go a long way toward stress reduction. For instance flattening a hierarchy puts lower levels face-to-face with upper management, which often opens the doors to more information and input on decision-making. These two factors--personal control and more information--are at the core of stress reduction.

Communication and participation are the keys. For instance, moving into a new building can be a time of high stress and short tempers. But allowing employees to give input to the architects on the features they want has helped one company turn a high-stress event into an occasion people are looking forward to.

Teamwork is another factor that brings stress levels down. One distribution company that is expecting a seasonal rush of business is applying this technique by involving employees before it happens. Teams of employees are developing a game plan for handling the extra load. The employees are looking forward to testing their plan and have agreed to meet throughout the rush to tweak the system as necessary. They feel in control because the system is theirs and they know they can make further adjustments when needed. It's when the system is done to them that creates the problem. Even if the new system were perfectly designed by the top executives, it wouldn't have the same healthy impact. It's the process that counts.

Another key to diluting employee stress levels is the degree to which their managers listen to them. Employees experiencing family problems appreciate a boss who shows they care by listening with empathy. Manager’s who understand that most workplace conflicts aren't personality conflicts but role conflicts, will take the time to get to the heart of the problem.

Favoritism is another cause of high blood pressure and short fuses. If employees feel they aren't on equal footing when it comes to raises, promotions and informal rewards, their resentment will poison the atmosphere and cause stress levels to boil over.

Like with most things, leaders will set the tone for the rest of the organization where stress is concerned. If the boss works fifteen hours a day and expects everyone else to do the same, workaholism will grow and the personal toll on employees will be high. Although many employees report they are working longer hours than ever before, programs like flex-time and summer hours can alleviate the extra burden it places on them.

Increased stress isn't going to go away. But a combined approach of reducing organizational causes along with personal stress management techniques will help everyone get a little more of that illusive balance into their lives.

Good managers know that employee satisfaction is essential to healthy teamwork, initiative and productivity.  Joan Lloyd’s booklet, 86 Creative Ideas for Having More Fun & Less Stress at Work, is packed with ideas for building employee satisfaction and work/life balance while reducing stress in your workplace.  Guaranteed to give you fresh ideas any company can implement in categories such as: Fun with a Purpose, Building a Family Atmosphere & a Sense of Community, Having Fun at Work for the Sake of Fun, Rewarding Great Performance & Stress Busters!  Also available by return email, in PDF format!