5 Tips to Help Your Employees Manage Stress

Workplace stress now accounts for around 160 million lost days yearly (2012). The CBI, which identified these results, found that the conditions linked to anxiety, stress and depression are the leading cause of long-term absence.

This alone accounts for nearly 30% of all lost working time and costs the UK economy £4bn.

Employers need to take stress seriously. It's not only the right thing to do, but it also makes good business sense.

Supporting employees suffering from stress can be a minefield. However, these tips are a good starting point.

1. Prioritise education on coping with stress

Everyone responds to stressful situations differently. What one person may perceive as stressful, another may perceive as motivating. Stress is a spectrum, and there is no way of knowing how an individual will cope with stressful situations.

Arm your workforce with the knowledge and tools to cope and reduce stress. 

Educational sessions, such as guest talks or webinars, are a great and effective way to share knowledge and tips. They also show people you care about them, support their well-being, reduce absenteeism, improve morale, and increase overall productivity.

2. Offer employee benefits and perks

Well-being has become of great importance to employees. It is also very attractive to potential candidates when hiring.

Stress-alleviating benefits and perks may include access to meditation apps, regular time off, or childcare assistance. Your benefits should suit your employees' work and home lives so they can find a balance to relax and reduce stress.

3. Be conscious of employee workloads

One of the most common causes of stress in the workplace is excessive work and unrealistic deadlines, which can make people feel rushed, under pressure, and overwhelmed.

Keep track of how much your employees take on and the pressure they may feel. Reduce employee workload pressure when possible. Educate your employees on how to prioritise their workloads and encourage balance. This will enhance productivity and reduce stress.

If an individual is feeling overwhelmed by their workload, it's worth considering what can be done to help them. One option is to hire someone else to assist them or distribute the work to other team members.

4. Allow flexible working

Stress is not always caused by work. Sometimes, stress at work is influenced by outside-of-work stress, such as caregiving and financial responsibilities.

For example, parents may experience increased stress if they are worried about who will pick their child up from school. Allowing people to work flexibly resolves situations like this. Be an employer who shows maturity and empathy.

A UK study showed that more than half of employees who currently have the choice to mix remote and office work would consider quitting their jobs if this option were removed.

This is worth considering if you want to attract and retain the best people. With most companies now offering flexibility, it's no longer a perk and a necessity if you want to stay competitive.

5. Recognise and reward your employees

It can be stressful to work extremely hard for a company and not feel recognised and rewarded. Recognising and rewarding your employees is an extremely effective way to reduce stress, increase engagement, and increase retention. Never underestimate the importance of appreciation.