Stress is one of the leading causes of illness and absenteeism in the workplace. A recent study shows that people with high-stress jobs go to the doctor 26% more than people in low-stress jobs. Another study shows that fully half of all absenteeism in the U.S. is stress-related.
While not all stress happens at work, employers can go a long way to help their employees reduce the pressure. Not only does reducing stress lead to fewer trips to the doctor, and less absenteeism, there’s a bonus: it helps increase productivity too.
Here are a few ways employers can help.
1.Encourage healthy behavior. Exercise is a proven stress-reducer. Just a brisk, 10-minute walk around your company campus can do wonders. Try implementing a walk break a few times a week and see what happens. Add a seventh-inning stretch during a long meeting. Good nutrition also helps overall mood. Encourage healthy snacks like fresh fruit and nuts rather than vending machine fare like chips and candy.
2.Promote positive thinking. Negative attitudes in the workplace can drive down morale and spike the stress level. While a Pollyanna attitude isn’t useful, remind managers to keep things in perspective when setting the general company mood.
3.Bring in some fun. Research shows that a good guffaw beats an apple for keeping the doctor away. Incorporate humor and fun activities, appropriately of course, to help lighten the mood.
4.Offer options for relaxation. While exercise helps the overall mood, sometimes just a break from the frantic pace can be a good short-term fix. Consider adding a lounge chair in a break room to allow employees to lie back and close their eyes for 10 minutes. Invite lunchtime speakers with tips about simple things like yoga stretches and deep breathing exercises. This type of information is often more well received in smaller groups rather than in an all-company meeting.
5.Remind employees of all of their options. Going to the doctor, where the answer is often medication, isn’t always the best solution. If your company offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) make sure you are promoting it, often and in various communication styles, to reach all your target audiences.
Businessolver makes it easy to target special audiences. HR administrators can craft messages to go to the whole company; break it down by department, location or employee class; or down to the individual level. Talk to a Businessolver representative today to find out more about personalizing YOUR message.
