Let’s face it– we have all experienced work stress at one time or another. Whether it’s that last-minute project with a hard deadline or ongoing pressure leading up to a promotion, work stress not only affects our performance, but also how we feel outside of work. No matter what your line of business may be, knowing how to help your employees deal with work stress can be an important factor in maintaining efficiency, workplace happiness, and ensuring that you have reduced likelihood of accidents.
Here are some of the signs and symptoms that can tell you your employees are feeling stressed:
- They often complain of feeling tired or never seem to get enough sleep
- Complaints of no appetite, or eating more than usual
- Feeling sad, down, or crying unexpectedly
- Avoiding friends, family, and coworkers in a normal setting
- Alcohol and/or drug use
- Reduced productivity at work
- Seemingly nervous, irritable, or on edge
- Lashing out at coworkers or superiors
While knowing the signs and symptoms of workplace stress is important, learning how to help your employees cope is also an important step. Here are a few suggestions for helping your employees work through stressful times:
- Providing opportunities to chat with a mental health professional
- Scheduling special events at work that give employees a chance to relax
- Providing additional leave time or reimbursements for health and wellness appointments
- Helping employees identify areas of stress and help them prioritize their work day
- Reviewing whether employee skill sets would be better used in other areas
At BlueRock Corporate Benefits, we can work with you to create a benefit plan that helps you manage your costs while improving employee retention at your business. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you.