How To Reduce Employee Stress And Boost Productivity

Work-related stress affects 28% of workers in the European Union, which makes it the second most common work-related health problem in the bloc. Unhealthy stress levels aren’t just bad for your employees’ health and wellbeing, they also increase absenteeism and turnover rates, which ultimately hurts your bottom line. In fact, stressed-out employees lose over 60 days of productivity on average. But, by taking steps to identify and mitigate sources of work-related stress, you can better look after your employees and create a supportive and productive workplace culture that puts people first.

Identify sources of stress

It’s important to first identify the underlying causes of employee stress, so you can then eliminate them. Employee surveys are a useful way to do this. Ask your employees to describe what factors at work cause them stress, and how bad this stress is on a scale of one to ten. High work demands, lack of support, poor role clarity, receiving virtually no constructive feedback, and not being recognised for their hard work are all issues that may be likely to crop up. Remember, these surveys must also remain anonymous to protect worker privacy. 

Implement stress-busting policies  

You can then implement appropriate mitigation strategies and policies to cut employee stress and boost productivity. So, for example, it may be helpful to lighten the workloads of employees currently experiencing high work demand by designating some of their responsibilities fairly to others. You can also work with employees to help them prioritise their workload.

Allowing extra rest breaks is also a great way to encourage employees to de-stress, relax, and recharge. Rest breaks actually also improve productivity as they work to improve focus and energy levels for the rest of the day ahead. But don’t just implement these strategies and leave it at that. It’s important to regularly touch base with your employees to check they’re making a positive impact.  

Get insurance to protect employees

Investing in insurance is another key policy that can protect both your employees and your bottom line. But sadly, 90% of small business owners aren’t actually sure if they have the right amount of coverage for their specific needs. So if you’re looking to find the level of business insurance that’s right for you, spend time researching your options. For example, workers’ compensation is always a smart choice. With this insurance, employees who become sick or injured while on the job will have the cost of medical fees, rehab, and lost wages covered for them. 

Mental health conditions caused by job-related stress are also covered. Notably, one in six workers in the EU has a mental health issue like anxiety or depression. The protection provided by workers’ comp means sick employees will be able to fully focus on their recovery without added financial worries. In turn, they’ll come back to work sooner, and the overall financial impact of health issues therefore won’t be as great. 

Conclusion

Work-related stress is bad for both you and your employees alike. By implementing smart steps to identify and mitigate sources of workplace stress, you can successfully support employee wellbeing, increase productivity, and boost your bottom line.