We’ve written in the past about how you as an individual can work towards reducing their own stress levels, which is often the best course of action when the pressure gets a little too much, but we think the workplace should be more productive than it should ‘stressful’.
Getting stressed is a natural bodily reaction to life’s challenges, and there are certainly ways you can combat it, however we feel that managers and business owners should work towards making their workplaces that little bit more stress free, and help their employees with combating stress.
Here’s to the managers, owners, bosses or HR reps on how you can work to reduce your employee stress levels, and in turn reap the benefits of a productive workforce!
1. Flexible working
Allowing staff to have the option of flexible working hours is proven to reduce stress, even more than asking employees to work shorter, fixed, hours. Whilst flexi time isn’t appropriate for all businesses, a little leniency on either side of the work day can go a long way to taking the pressure off your employees. It’s not necessarily the leaving half an hour early from time to time that will reduce stress in your employees, but the freedom of knowing they can. An office isn’t a cage that gets locked at 9 and unlocked at 5, so don’t make it seem this way.
2. Encourage breaks
In much the same way as flexible working can decrease stress levels, so can encouraging breaks. Things build up sometimes – as a manager or owner of a business, you will know this better than anyone! A 5, 10 or 15 minute break is often enough to clear your head and combat stress from attacking you in the snowball fashion that it often does.
3. Smile, be approachable
Sometimes the easiest way that you can defuse the build-up of stress and motivate your employees is to simply throw on a smile (Which in itself is a stress release) and be approachable. A smile goes a long way, and is much more than a nice aesthetic – it shows trust, warmth, openness and friendliness. Encourage an open-door policy too, so your employees feel comfortable approaching you with their problems.
4. Talk to them
Being kept in the dark at work can very quickly lead to stressful scenarios for your employees.
Tell them clear deadlines
Give them the information they need to properly complete a task
Be transparent about the company and its future
See how they’re doing
Talk about their problems
Much the same as being approachable is good for putting your employees at ease, actively going out to engage with them will go a long way. Be the likable boss.
5. Encourage
Encouragement from a senior member of staff goes a long way. Don’t see someone as a poor employee if they are struggling with a task, see it as a chance to encourage and inspire them to do the best they can on the task, then see what they come out with.
6. Beautify
An inspiring and attractive office can work wonders on employee stress levels. Whether it is a calming and tranquil decor, or a vibrant, creative environment – a little bit of imagination and effort in decorating an office will go a long way, just make sure the makeover suits your business.
7. Active meetings
A lot of meeting require a workspace, or a boardroom, but that doesn’t mean that every meeting has to follow the format. A quick catch up with another employee, a 1-2-1 or a creative brainstorm? Why not take it for a walk, or head outside for the duration of it. It can be good to get into a new environment, if an employee is feeling stressed. Not only that, but the act of going somewhere new, or going for a walk, will wake your employees up and encourage creativity.
8. Encourage creative fun
Having a laugh and a joke in the office is a sure fire way to make work seem a lot more manageable. It takes the edge away from the work day and ingrains a sense of community between your workforces. Encouraging this can help to improve employee workloads and staff retention.
9. Give praise and feedback
There is no harm in giving praise to your employees for a job well done. They deserve to hear it. Take a few minutes out of your day, week or month to genuinely praise your employees for the work they have done. They are the lifeblood of your business.
Don’t be afraid to offer feedback, either – good or bad. People like to be praised, but it is also good to know what you can improve on or what it is in particular that makes them a good employee.
10. Be a humble, modest, helper
Don’t be an accuser, be a helper. There will be many times when your employees turn to you for help. Don’t take it as a sign that they are a below par employee – take it as a compliment that they see you as an authority on a topic, and want your specific help.
Be a humble and modest helper around the office.
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