Member Article

Stress in the Workplace - 2017

~~The Health & Safety Executive estimates that during 2015/16 stress accounted for 11.7 million lost days at work in the UK – so what is causing this situation?

In today’s world employees feel pressured to respond to work 24/7. Technology is having an impact on employee’s health and has transformed the way we work so we don’t have to be at our desks to get the job done. However, this means work more than ever encroaches on our home life.

So, how does a business manage this situation?

One of the first things to remember is that expectations and guidance must be shared freely through the organisation.

But it’s not all about technology. Employee engagement is the key to managing stress. As employers, ethically there are many things we should do to manage employee stress, but seeing engagement levels improve will directly increase staff productivity too.

An organisation should focus on two key things:

• Give your employees a voice. Create a culture where people are involved, listened to and invited to contribute their experience, expertise and ideas. This will contribute to innovation, productivity and business improvement. For the employee it will often result in increased job satisfaction and greater influence.

• Have engaging managers who focus on their people and give them scope, treat their people as individuals and coach and stretch them. Engaging managers are approachable and available when needed and put considerable effort into making sure the success and achievements of individuals and teams are fully acknowledged.

The relationship between employee and their manager is key to the health of the individual and the effectiveness of the organisation - there is certainly a very strong correlation between the two.

-Ends-

(Advice from Laura Davis, Managing Director, Reality HR)

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Colin Bridgman .