Unnecessary stress at work can lead to low productivity. As an employer or a manager, there are certain things you can do in order to reduce work-related stress thereby enhancing productivity. The first action is to act as an optimistic role model. That is, if you can manage workplace stress effectively by always remaining calm in stressful situations, your employees would easily follow suit as well. With that understanding, this post, therefore, presents vital information on how employers can reduce work-related stress.
Effective Communication
Good communication between an employer and employees can do wonders at reducing stress in the workplace. Therefore, frequently engage your employees in a conversation about the specific issues that make their jobs stressful. By doing that, they will be able to clearly point out their area of stress. Be it issues like faulty machines or equipment, a lack of supervisor feedback, or understaffing, may be relatively straightforward to address. Also, effective dialogue between an employer and the staffs can eliminate or reduce the fear of uncertainty about their jobs and futures thereby giving them peace of mind to focus on their job.
Give Workers Opportunities to Participate in Decisions That Affect Their Jobs
Create favorable opportunities for your employees take part in the decisions directly related to their jobs thereby allowing them to make input on work rules. This is capable of reducing work-related stress because if you involve them in the decision-making process, they will be more committed.
Avoid Unrealistic Deadlines
Unrealistic deadlines amount for a lot of workplace stress. As an employer, you know that those deadlines that are unrealistic which often put your employees under intense tension and pressure. Leaving them in a hot seat and highly stressed would be unhealthy for the job. Therefore, always ensure the workload is appropriate for your employees’ capabilities and make resources available for the job.
Clarify Your Expectations
Clearly, state the responsibilities and roles of each employee. Also, make sure that management actions are equitable and consistent with organizational goals and values.
Give Rewards and Incentives
Appreciate excellent performance at the workplace and plan your work timetable in a manner that stressful periods will be followed by periods with lesser tight deadlines. Create opportunities for social interaction among your staffs. Following these simple guidelines will go a long way in reducing work-related stress, that could make the workplace more conducive for your employees to put their best thereby leading to high productivity for the entire organization.