How to Manage Workplace Stress
Workplace stress influences both business and individual employee in an adverse fashion. Increase of stress at the workplace may pose a threat to the emotional, personal safety and financial domains. Since the demands of work have turned out to be more demanding day by day, people experience an increasing level of stress, ranging from normal to excessive.
Workplace stress stems from a wide variety of sources including work specific hazards, physical environment, organizational practices, change in workplace, dilemma in interpersonal relationship, and so on. Apart from that, poor coordination and ineffective communication play significant role in triggering out workplace stress.
Managing workplace stress has two interrelated but distinctive perspectives. One approach can be taken by the employers or managers of the organization, while the other one can be approached by employees in general. In fact, cooperation from both ends is equally important in order to reduce stress at the workplace.
From the Employer's Perspective
In order to reduce workplace stress, employers must introduce two techniques. One is stress management training programs for both employees and managers and the second one is taking necessary steps to improve the working condition within the organizational setup. In addition to stress management training, employees can be provided training for Employee Assistance Program.
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) focuses on helping the employee to deal with their personal as well as organizational problems. Organizational change brings a long-lasting impact on stress reduction. An effective communication with employees may play an effective role in addressing the required changes need to be met in an organization.
An effective communication must involve a clear definition of the employee's role and responsibilities in a given job, consulting with employees and offering them the flexibility to make decision in relation to their specified job role. It can also include praising good performance and providing opportunity for career development, and establishing zero tolerance harassment policies.
From Employee's Perspective
Many employees suffer from workplace stress simply because they lack the quality to stand up for themselves. An employee must ask for a detailed job description along with his role and responsibilities in the job before he takes any assignment. If you feel excessive pressure at your workplace, better change it before it harms your well-being.
Many people can not resist behaving in some self-defeating fashion. You must not promote perfectionism while dealing with your co-workers. In fact, perfectionism may influence your own work performance in an adverse manner. Always maintain your work schedule; don't run behind the clock every time. Do not promote negative thinking. Encourage your own abilities as well as that of others too.
