It’s the month of June,which means that we are about halfway through the year! (Yippee! or Yikes!?)
You walk into the office, and looking around at the faces of your employees, you wonder where those bright eyed and bushy tailed people you saw in January went to! Well, what you see is the effect of burnout on workers in today’s world, people who are faced with psycho-social hazards such as higher expectations on performance and longer working hours, economic recession, reduced work opportunities and the fear of losing their jobs. Workers who live in the fast paced world with instant communications and escalating global competition, which blur the lines between work and private life. The result of poor work-life balance is chronic stress and reduced productivity.
Any wonder why the International Labor Organization (ILO) set “Workplace Stress: a collective challenge” as this year’s theme for the World Day for Safety and Health at Work? Well, work-related stress is now generally acknowledged as a global public health issue affecting all countries, all professions and all workers both in developed and developing countries.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that 40% of workers claim that their jobs are very or extremely stressful. Studies have also shown that the main causes of workplace stress include workload (46%), people issues (28%), juggling work and personal life (20%), and lack of job security (6%).
HR managers, therefore, need to be tuned in to the signs of burnout or stress among their employees so as to prevent it escalating or spreading through the workforce. Addressing these issues or preventing them may also help to cut down on the cost of workplace stress on the economy. The US industry estimates the cost at $300 billion annually due to absenteeism, accidents, employee turnover, medical, legal and insurance costs, as well as workers’ compensations.
Are your employees stressed?
When people are under stress, their body gives them signals and it is important (for both employers and employees) not to ignore these signals.
Employees may exhibit physical signs as a result of stress. Workplace or work-related stress is believed to be responsible for 30% of workers suffering from back pain, 13% complaining of headaches and 20% feeling fatigued. They may also show signs of depression, anxiety, poor decision making, mood swings, and even violence. A 2000 Integra survey showed that 29% had yelled at co-workers because of workplace stress, 14% said they work where machinery or equipment has been damaged because of workplace rage and 29% admitted that they had actually personally struck someone.
High stress levels can also contribute to developing health-related impairments such as Cardiovascular disease (CVD), Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), and even Suicide due to depression and anxiety.
The Good News!
Work-related stress is preventable! Stress management in the workplace should be geared towards removing or reducing the sources of stress at work. It should be a complement to job redesign and organizational structure change, and not just focused on the individual worker.
Some measures that could be employed include:
Flexible and manageable work schedules – employees have been shown to be more productive when they have more control over the nature and timing of their work performance, and when their workload is realistic and manageable. There’s also the need for a clear cut job description to increase employee responsibility and reduce ambiguity and the feeling of powerlessness.
Recognition and respect at work – the World Health Organization (WHO) states that being appreciated is one of the most important factors that increase motivation and satisfaction as well as health and well-being. Negative evaluation usually leads to low self-esteem, which in turn leads to depression.
Effective workplace wellness program – According to Fast Company, health and wellness programs reduce burnout by up to 125%. However, less than 10% of workers have access to health and wellness programs. You can make a difference in the lives of your employees by incorporating a robust and effective wellness program in your workplace.
Workplace stress is truly a collective challenge, and all hands – organizational, team and individual – must be on deck to overcome it and develop a healthy, functional and happy workforce! On your marks……!