Identifying workplace
stress
A worker can experience physical, mental, and
emotional reactions to their work environment. Their response to stressors at
work may be positive or negative for their well-being.
Stress is a normal response to the demands of
work. It can be beneficial in short bursts, helping you stay alert and perform
at your best. However, prolonged or excessive job stress can be damaging to
your mental health.
Managing workplace stress
Best practice for managing stress in the workplace
is to prevent and minimise stress before it becomes a risk to health and
safety.
1. Workplace counselling
and management program
One practical solution to combating workplace
stress is by using professional workplace support services, such as
confidential counselling for employees or stress-relief advice seminars. This
is mutually beneficial for companies too, considering numerous employee
engagement surveys and company culture research studies have come to the same
conclusion: happy employees are more productive.
· identify the areas within the workplace that are likely to cause stress
- assess the risks to determine which require controls
- control the risks by eliminating or minimising them
- regularly review the controls and their effectiveness
- ensure workers are aware of health and safety policies and
procedures.
- provide sufficient information to enable workers to perform tasks
competently, including adequate support and resources for decision-making
- provide additional practical assistance when workers are doing
challenging tasks
- allow workers sufficient time to perform the tasks assigned and
provide suitable equipment which is appropriately maintained
- evaluate and review workers’ competency and capability and provide
additional training where needed
- have systems in place to support workers when they are required to
make difficult decisions or when there are negative consequences to
decisions they have made (e.g. child safety workers)
2. Rely on both colleges
and non-professional networks for support
Having a best friend at work or a trusting
relationship with colleagues can be very valuable in managing workplace stress.
A colleague is more likely to empathise with work pressures instead of just
sympathise, but that is not to say spouses, family members and other loved ones
cannot be helpful.
· having senior management make a commitment to a reduction in workplace
stress
- promoting
and involving workers in activities to create a mentally healthy workplace
culture
- providing
regular and respectful performance feedback
- providing
training for workers about managing their own stress levels.
- rotate
tasks and schedules so that workers are not always assigned jobs that
require an extreme focus of their attention
3.
Prioritise a
work-life balance
Getting into the habit of balancing your personal
and professional life can be the central pillar supporting your stress release
journey. Working unsocial hours, especially on Sunday, has a palpable
consequence on workers’ lives, overall job satisfaction and feelings of
happiness.
· ensure adequate work breaks and, where practicable, allow some
flexibility in the timing of breaks
- strive to make working hours regular and predictable
- avoid encouraging workers to regularly work long hours, take work
home or work through breaks
- ensure workers have adequate time management skills and provide
training where needed
- promote a work-life balance and encourage workers to take annual
leave or holidays when they are due
Related Articles
SafeWork NSW. 2020. Managing work related stress |
SafeWork NSW. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/safety-starts-here/mental-health-at-work-the-basics/workplace-stress/managing-work-related-stress.
[Accessed 27 June 2020].
RANSW. 2020. How can I manage workplace stress and
professional issues in a healthy way? - RANSW. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.relationshipsnsw.org.au/how-can-i-manage-workplace-stress-and-professional-issues-in-a-healthy-way/.
[Accessed 27 June 2020].
Workplace stress . 2020. Workplace stress . [ONLINE]
Available at: https://www.headsup.org.au/healthy-workplaces/workplace-stressors.
[Accessed 27 June 2020].
