How to support your employees with stress?

Stressed employees are not good for business yet it is a problem that many businesses face. 

The figures from The Health and Safety Executive 21/22 report showed that 914,000 people reported suffering from work-related stress, anxiety, or depression. And it's not just the impact on individuals that we should be concerned about; the economy has also suffered, with a staggering 17 million working days lost as a result of these conditions. 

As well as being a cause of absenteeism in the workplace, high stress levels amongst employees can lead to a high employee turnover. When that stress builds up, it will often result in lower job satisfaction levels, and the employees are more likely to start looking for new job opportunities. This is not ideal for your business either.

Since April is National Stress Awareness month there is no better time to share some ways that you can support your employees with stress. 

Stress in the workplace requires on going attention, if it is something that’s only acknowledged once a year then you are not properly addressing it. 

So, how can you help alleviate stress and keep your employees happy and healthy?  These are the three most effective ways you can support your employees with stress.

Flexible Work Arrangements

Remote work or hybrid working models are becoming increasingly popular, and for a good reason. 

According to research done by Exploding Topics, over 80% of remote workers would recommend remote work to their friends. Furthermore, more than half of interviewees claim that they would leave their jobs to join a company that offers the remote option.

People like to have the option of remote or hybrid working due to the flexibility it offers, the time saved by not commuting, and the reduction in stress and anxiety levels. Flexibility allows people to take actions that will help them reduce their own stress levels. 

At People Management Partners we embrace flexible working hours which means that if a member of the team needs an hour during the day to go for a walk, to the gym or to see a therapist, they can! No questions asked. 

If you would like to discuss how your business can embrace flexible working arrangements, book some time with one of our HR experts through our Pay As You Go service.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

Not all stress is caused primarily by the workplace. Employees could be facing problems at home, in their relationships or with finances. Those problems could be impacting their work and exacerbating any work-related stresses.  

Employee assistance programs offer a wide range of services, like face-to-face counseling and expert support, that can help your team deal with personal issues. These programs can significantly help their mental and physical health.

It’s worth considering an EAP as part of your overall wellbeing strategy and they can be a cost-effective way to support employees. A good provider will work with you to tailor the program to suit the needs of your business. At People Management Partners we work with some providers who include EAPs alongside other benefits such as health cover so you should always check existing policies first. Spectrum Life is a good provider of EAPs and there are organisations like Self Space who can support your staff with prevention and maintenance when it comes to their mental health.

Set clear expectations

To effectively manage stress in the workplace, setting clear expectations for employees is essential. Every company has its priorities, whether one project is more urgent than another or a particular aspect of the role is more crucial than other aspects. 

The key is to clearly communicate these priorities to your team. When expectations are not communicated, it can result in confusion, lower quality work, missed deadlines and the thing we all want less of stress.

You should make sure employees understand their responsibilities and what is expected of them as well as ensuring that what is expected of them is achievable. If your employee feels their workload is impossible to complete during their working hours, then perhaps it is time to reassess your expectations. 

How do you know if an employee feels this way? Create an environment that encourages open communication. By doing so, you can create a positive work culture that benefits the entire company and reduces overall stress levels. To learn more about building a strong team culture, read our blog on the topic.

To Wrap Up 

Stress at work can cause more than just a bad day at the office. It can impact your team's relationships outside of work and take a toll on their mental health. To help your team navigate these challenging times, it's important to maintain flexibility, openness and responsiveness. By listening closely to their needs, providing flexible working options and mental health resources, you can create a supportive work environment that fosters success both in and out of the office.

Addressing stress in the workplace does not only help your employees but your business will also be better off too. With higher job satisfaction and happier employees, you will find your team is more productive and your employee turnover is much lower.

If you want to start supporting your employees with their stress levels you can always get in touch with us to become your HR advisors. We will help you create a better workplace for your team with more open communication and less stress.