Companies Can Help Stress Related Issues

Did you know that in the United States over 1 million workers are absent each day due to stress?

All of us manage and deal with some stress in our lives. That’s a part of the human condition. Long term stress that’s not alleviated but continues each day is not how we were designed to live.

For many, the underlying cause of stress is work-related.  A key indicator of job-related stress is the perception of having little control but lots of demands; often with no support or the ability to change the circumstances to lessen the stress effect.

It’s no wonder that in New York and other municipalities the connection between job stress and heart attacks is acknowledged, so much so, that any police officer who has a heart attack on or off the job is considered to have had a work-related injury.

Most of us don’t have high-risk jobs like law enforcement but the stress issues can be just as real. If your job is high stress, it’s putting your health and well being at risk even if you’re sitting at a desk in a climate-controlled building most of the day.

What can today’s workers do?

• Acknowledge the cause of your stress. Simple enough, but if you’ve been “managing” this for a long time, you may not realize that your job and the climate there is the root cause of your issues.
  
• Look for support. Does your company have a person you can talk to? Is there a health management program? Often resources are available but not made public until and unless you ask.
  
• Check your health insurance for a wellness program. You may be able to access help related to work place stress here. Hopefully making changes before long term issues like high blood pressure or heart problems begin.
  
• Can you discuss making changes to your schedule or work environment to alleviate the stress-inducing issues? Some employers may allow you to work from home or shift your hours to ensure that you can continue to do your work in a way that’s less stressful.
  
• Can you find another job? This may be a last resort, but your health and well-being are worth making a big change in your work life.
  
• Get help from my “Take Charge of Stress” webinar, which is a part of my Soul Success System™ of programs. If you’re dealing with high levels of stress from work, or other sources, you don’t have to continue. Don’t let your health and wellbeing pay the price for long term stress.

What can today’s employers do?

• Communicate with your employees. Every business has some periods of high-stress activity. Make sure that extra demands are explained and be conscious of employee needs especially when requiring longer shifts, overtime or additional work.
  
• Resolve workplace conflicts quickly and in a positive way. Disagreements happen but they don’t have to wreck a good environment. Be fair and up front about conduct that is inappropriate and be sure that everyone feels heard when there is a conflict.
  
• Allow workers to have input when possible. Ask for their suggestions as well as their buy-in when making changes to policies, task management and expectations. Employees are often capable of bringing new options to light that management may not have considered. Don’t discount the knowledge and let your workers have a say in how they do their work.
  
• Let unbiased third-party outsiders help with major conflicts and training. Problems are seldom resolved by making one sweeping change and it can be difficult to see the scope of an issue when you’re dealing with it day to day. The best workplace solutions come when all the parties have a chance to voice concerns and have a clear-eyed look at possible solutions.

Don’t let workplace stress harm your health or wreck your career. It doesn’t have to be an either/or choice and help is here to make sure you can be your best in all parts of your life.

Set up a time to learn how the Soul Success System™ can help you reduce stress and live a balanced, happy, healthy life.