We all know that work can be stressful to some degree. In general, the more responsibility a person has, the higher levels of stress they must cope with on a regular basis. Employee stress is a hot topic in the world of business and HR these days, and for a good reason. Many people take time off work because they are suffering from the effects of burnout!
Stress can affect people in a variety of ways. You might not realize it, but stress can and does influence the physical health of a person. Are you worried about the workload each of your team members has? And do you also worry that they could end up burning themselves out because they just can’t cope anymore?
Don’t worry because you are not alone. As an employer, it is your duty to ensure that all staff has manageable workloads. Plus, their working environments should not contribute to their stress (for example, faulty machinery or office furniture). Here are six practical steps you can take to help de-stress your employees:
Image Obtained From Flickr- Encourage regular breaks from the computer
Have your staff spend at least five minutes of each hour AWAY from their computer screens. Taking regular breaks away from their systems is a guaranteed way to lower their stress levels.
It can also cut down on the number of headaches they have. Plus, regular screen breaks ensures they don’t suffer deteriorating eyesight because of staring so much at their screens.
- Encourage staff to meditate
Did you know that meditation is something that today’s successful business leaders do to de-stress themselves? If you want your employees to empower that same success with their work, encourage them to meditate!
You could set up a dedicated meditation room in your office free from any interruptions. Take a look at deepermeditation.net for some meditation techniques your staff can try.
- Get your staff to be more sociable with each other
It’s no secret that most people spend more time at work than they do elsewhere. They’ll also spend a lot of time with their co-workers. Consider setting aside some time each week where your staff can meet in a social setting, such as having lunch together away from the office.
Image Obtained From Flickr- Make your office atmosphere more open
Is everyone locked away in their own little rooms? Tear those walls and barriers down to create an open-plan office! Many of today’s creative workspaces are open; even the managers are part of the open-plan spaces! Sites like arnoldsofficefurniture.com offer a plethora of design ideas and inspiration for things like desks and cubicles.
- Set up a chillout zone
It’s worth creating a zone in your office where your team can relax and chill out when they need a break from work. The “chillout zone” can have anything from pool tables and TVs to exercise machines and dance mats!
- Be flexible
Last, but not least, don’t be a typical 9-5 kind of company. Instead, offer your staff flexible working hours and arrangements.
For instance, workers with kids could spend a day or two a week working from home to save on childcare costs. Or employees could start early to leave earlier if they wish to beat rush-hour traffic each day.