If stress levels remain at a high level at work, it can not only impact the health of the individuals but it can lead to high staff turnover, low morale and decreased productivity. Recognizing the signs of high levels of stress within a team is the first step to reducing stress and improving the work climate.
Signs of Stressful Workplace
- Absenteeism and tardiness – multiple team members that call in sick, max out their personal days, or repeatedly show up for work late and/or leave early.
- Health issues – immunity in the team seems very low. Colds are passed on from one person to the next.
- Uncaring attitudes – passion and pride in the work has disappeared. Deadlines come and go with no regard to their importance and impact on the bigger picture.
- Emotional outbursts – multiple team members that break down in tears of frustration or raise their voice in anger or frustration.
Ways to Improve Stress Levels at Work
Respect for Colleagues
Team building exercises that promote harmony and allow for an open and honest sharing of concerns and problems can make a huge impact on a workplace environment. Encourage team members to express how the stress impacts them – their work, their own stress levels and their emotional state. Ask them to refrain from blaming others but instead ask for what they need.
For example, encourage staff to make statements such as “I feel distracted by the stress of others and can’t focus when those around me are having emotional breakdowns about their priorities. I need those who make requests of me to understand that I can’t always respond to their needs on their timeline but that information about to how the delay affects their workload can help me adjust my priorities to mesh with their deadlines. It is all about cooperating when competing priorities exist.”
Share the Workload
If stress is due to a workload that is unmanageable, consider whether tasks could be delegated or shared with a colleague who has a lighter load. Bringing in a new project partner can not only provide a helping hand, it can provide a new perspective to help streamline systems and solve problems.
Make Healthy Choices
When stress is high, often health and wellness takes a back seat. Ironically, a lack of attention to healthy choices can increase stress levels. Some strategies to bring back a healthy balance are:
- Take breaks – avoid eating at lunch at a desk and skipping coffee breaks especially if computer work is a large part of the job.
- Go for a walk – bring runners to work and take a walk at lunch.
- Eat well – choose healthy foods for lunches and snacks.
- Reduce overtime – work on time management to avoid overtime.
It is important to pay attention to the signs of stress at work and make choices to reduce the amount of stress. Left unchecked, it can lead to serious health issues, prevent career advancement and contribute to a stressful workplace environment.
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