5 Ways to Address Your Employees’ Top Stressors
/
The pandemic has brought on new anxieties and heightened many old ones. Learn how you can help.
COVID-19 has tested the resilience of even the hardiest companies and employees. And work-related anxiety—added to the long list of issues facing the average American—has a dramatic impact.
A recent Harris Poll survey reported that nearly eight in 10 American adults (78%) said that the pandemic was a significant source of stress in their lives. Identifying these concerns and openly addressing them is an essential role for employers as the crisis continues:
What worries your employees most
Many workplaces were stress-inducing environments long before the pandemic, of course. But during COVID, many previous anxieties have been replaced by overwhelming employee concern for:
Their safety – Employees returning to the office fear contracting the virus in the workplace, on public transportation, or in other crowded spaces like elevators. If they work from home, they are concerned about their interactions with other people when they venture out.
The health of their family members – Many team members have comorbidities or live with people who are especially vulnerable to COVID-19. Being in situations that could expose them to the virus causes individuals to not only worry about their health, but the potential to transmit it to their loved ones.
Their financial security – In this downturn, many employees are anxious about their standing within the company and fear they will be downsized or furloughed. Even if the organization is doing well, they may still be concerned about their status, especially if they work remotely.
Things you can do to help lessen your employees’ burden
High stress levels at work may manifest in several ways. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that depression rates in adults are three times higher now than in pre-pandemic times.
Human resource managers and company leaders should be on the lookout for employees exhibiting uncharacteristic behavior, under-performing, having trouble getting along with coworkers, and being absent more than usual.
In addition to being aware of your employees’ wellbeing, take these five steps to ward off the debilitating effects of work-related stress:
1. Make combatting stress a company-wide priority: Be vocal about your support and implement programs that have been proven to improve workplace stressors, like “mental health days,” mandated time off, and flexible work hours. Encourage a supportive workplace culture that values inclusion, personal safety, respect, and employee feedback.
2. Promote all available health and wellness benefits: Communicate all the company’s health and wellness benefits consistently. If free stress management programs are not available to your team members, arrange to subsidize them.
3. Model transparency and open communication: Consistently address significant issues and establish two-way conversations throughout the company. Research shows that employees who are regularly updated by their company leaders are more likely to have positive views of their employers. As the pandemic progresses, it grows even more important to keep lines of communication open. Manage speculation and rumors by disseminating information about the company’s financial health at least quarterly.
4. Be vigilant about workplace safety: Quickly take all measures advocated by your state and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) if you believe any of your people have been exposed to the virus. Clean and sanitize work areas thoroughly and often. Provide masks, enforce wearing them, and mandate social distancing for in-person environments.
5. Offer training: Train company HR professionals and managers to recognize the signs of workplace stress in team members. Bring in trained mental health professionals periodically to offer stress management training for all employees. Both formal and informal training and support sessions can have a tremendous impact on a company’s culture and morale.
Battle workplace stress with preventative measures
The best way to combat stress is to recognize it’s an issue and the warning signs, and have programs in place to mitigate it. Invest in your employees’ mental health by incentivizing wellness and cultivating a culture that prioritizes work-life balance.
Carrington Legal Search is celebrating 20 years in business: we were in the trenches with our clients during 9/11 and 2008. We partner with our clients to identify leaders and mission-critical talent to shore up and grow companies even during the most challenging times. We are here for you! To make our nationwide network work for you, get in touch at 512-627-7467 or email carrie@carringtonlegal.com.