Stress in the workplace can impact morale, productivity and welfare, so here’s how to manage it effectively.
A business is only as good as its people. This means that squeezing the very best results out of your organisation means supporting every member of your team to be motivated, focused and productive. But it also means ensuring that they are happy, healthy and in a positive frame of mind. Otherwise stress and burnout are never far away.
When staff get stressed, it shows in the work produced by your business. Whether it’s the quality of the customer service or the standard of decision making, a toxic environment can permeate every aspect of an organisation. So, monitoring employee wellbeing and working hard to keep morale high is critical for any ambitious entrepreneur wanting to build a strong, successful enterprise.
But how do you know if things are going awry? Here are some key signs to look out for.
Struggling to meet deadlines
Are your team members struggling to meet the goals you’ve set for them? Not meeting deadlines could be a sign that your staff are feeling overwhelmed and anxious about their to-do list. If left unaddressed, this stress will only get worse.
A lack of resources
There’s nothing worse than working hard but still falling short due to a lack of resource. If your team members regularly seem frazzled from constantly putting out fires, it may be that they don’t have access to the resources they need to complete their job effectively.
Understaffing
Often, stress comes from having to take on the tasks of more than one person. This, in turn, can be the result of understaffing across your organisation. When staff are forced to take on too much, productivity and morale can take a hit, leading to an increase in errors and accidents.
Working long hours
If you notice that your staff members are still logged on well after their prescribed working hours, don’t assume that it is a sign of their unwavering commitment to your brand and a passion for their role. Of course, this may be the case – but it is still important to ask why they aren’t able to maintain a healthy work/life balance.
If it is because their growing workload is getting out of hand then perhaps more support is necessary. If it’s because your employee is trying to impress then it is important to show them that you appreciate their efforts but also reassure them that it is ok to take advantage of downtime.
Strained relationships
The way employees interact with each other is just as important as how they interact with their work. When employee relationships become strained, bigger issues can occur that impact your business as a whole. Monitor your employee relationships and let them know that you’re available if they need to talk.
Unrealistic expectations
Keep your expectations of what staff can complete realistic. Every business owner wants work done well and soon, but loading up your staff with unrealistic deadlines can negatively impact the quality of your business’s output. Work with them to determine what a realistic schedule looks like.
Job stability fears
Retaining good staff is much easier than finding and training new team members. But when staff don’t feel that their role is valued, they may feel expendable and, as consequence, start to look for other opportunities. Make sure your team know just how important they are to your organisation.
What can you do to help stressed out staff?
Simple changes to your workplace culture can help to reduce stress levels among your workers. Encourage your staff to take regular short breaks throughout the day, and make time for themselves and their needs outside of work. Make sure that they know it’s ok to log off for the day when it reaches the end of their shift.
You can also work with them to help them find ways to manage their time more efficiently, from delegating tasks to setting priorities. Be there for them and let them know that your door is open if they require further help and support.
Team building exercises can help to make your workplace feel like more of a community. Even a communal lunch once a week can bring your staff together and create a better support network.
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Get in touch with the team at TEDCO Business Support today. Give us a call on 0191 516 61 02 or drop us an email at hello@tedco.org.