Burnout because of stress in the workplace is now a diagnosable syndrome, as classed by the World Health Organization in 2019. Research shows that nearly a quarter of the workforce suffers from burnout on a regular basis.
Symptoms of workplace burnout include stress, depression, low energy, feeling cynical about working conditions and colleagues, and physiological issues such as headaches, stomach aches and intestinal problems. The inflation and the job market saturation are putting pressure on employees and employers alike to overwork themselves.
If you notice your employees have any of those symptoms, they’re likely suffering from burnout. This can significantly affect their well-being and productivity and result in absence from work.
Here is how to manage stress in the workplace, helping your business thrive.
Manage the volume of work. According to a survey conducted by CIPD, 59% of respondents have identified volume of work as the top stress factor.
This doesn’t mean you have to drastically reduce it, as low workload can lead to reduced alertness, boredom and lack of attention to detail. Overload, on the other hand, can result in slower task performance and errors.
As an optimum solution, delegate the workload fairly across all team members. If there is too much work but not enough people, consider hiring more. To tackle a low workload, you can introduce more tasks and merge or expand job roles.
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Up your management style game. The manager within a team is much more than someone who oversees workload and performance. They’re the closest point of contact and support. This includes personal well-being and dealing with stress in the workplace. They should be able to help employees facilitate their journey through overcoming stress-related issues.
Moreover, the manager is also responsible for boosting the team spirit and reinforcing unity and equality in the workplace. For example, if the job role entails an appropriate business dress code, the manager should ensure its adherence. This helps position all employees on the same level. A shirt and business trousers matched with formal shoes can go a long way in promoting unity and fairness. However, failing to adhere to the dress code can result in the opposite effect. It can hint at superiority, which can then raise equality issues. An adept management style can help with that.
According to the CIPD survey, 32% of respondents reported that management style impacts their health and well-being. Whether it’s you in a managerial role or someone else, make sure that adequate management training is provided.
Offer personal help. Not all stress that employees experience is work-related. The CIPD survey shows that relationships and family issues can trigger 25% of the respondents, while illness or health issues were a cause of stress for 22%.
While it’s not your responsibility to deal directly with employees’ personal issues, they can significantly impact their performance and your business. What you can do is support them by offering psychologist sessions and employee assistance programs.
Develop a good company culture. Good company culture is at the heart of any successful business. It entails initiatives and benefits that promote employees’ well-being and foster relationships at work. The CIPD survey shows that relationships at work can cause stress for 20% of respondents.
From yoga classes to a book club, you can introduce a range of out-of-work activities to your staff. A dedicated break room, social rooms with games and a welcoming interior design can also help staff unwind, recharge and bond with each other.
Taking the right steps to reduce stress in the workplace and facilitate a healthy work environment is critical to avoiding staff burnout. You want to work in an environment that’s stimulating and enjoyable, and these tips will help you achieve that.