Stress is a daily part of our lives. But when it is constant and starts to negatively impact your employees’ health and productivity then it is high time to take a step back and do something about it. And as an HR of the organization, it is equally important for you to recognize the signs and take measures to manage this. Here are few ways an HR can step in and take initiative to manage the stress at workplace-
Identify the signs and lend your support
A low-stress workplace is a happier, healthier and more productive workplace to work for. So, it is important for HR to identify the visible signs and act accordingly.
– If there is a regular pattern of sick days, keep an eye on staff absence rates and have one on one session with them to identify the cause.
– Take time to understand what is going on and how you can help to make things better.
Regular Communication & Transparency is the Key
Create an environment where people are comfortable with talking about their problems. Interact with employees to know if they have any issues with work or the company or if they are experiencing some personal problems. An effective communication provides a great support system to Employees and can end most of the unnecessary workplace issues anyone is having.
Employee Wellness Program
It is essential to have a stress-free workplace to get the maximum productivity from Employees. For that HR should consider including Employee Wellness program in organization’s Employee Engagement Strategy. HR can arrange activities which can give some relaxation to the employees from their work life and refresh their minds. They can –
– Organize Stress-busting activities such as yoga, fitness exercises or sports sessions. These are great for team building and productivity enhancing exercises.
– Organize mindfulness workshops for your employees to learn techniques such as meditation to better manage their anxiety and stress.
– Acknowledge and normalize mental health related issues. Spread awareness through webinars and lectures by specialists among Employees.
Teach your Employees to prioritize and manage workloads
Sometimes excessive workload and inability to manage work and time leads to stress and reduces the productivity level of Employees. You can provide them with enough resources to learn how to manage time and work while juggling between multiple projects and personal commitments.
Flexibility on work hours or work from home options
Encourage a healthy work life balance by offering the employees flexible work arrangements like work from home options, part-time jobs or flexible hours. Accommodate people who are managing studies with work or have family commitments or issues.
Your Employees are your biggest asset. So, keeping track of their mental, physical and emotional health should be part of your HR strategy. There are many things an organization cannot control, but what is possible to control, must be done with a proactive approach and empathetic mindset, especially by HR and Management.
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