Stress in the Workplace
Tax Day may be over, but for many people, it’s just one less thing to worry about. Some 55% of Americans experience stress every day, says the American Institute of Stress.
And the impact of that stress at the workplace is costly.
“Employee burnout can cost employers millions each year,” say researchers at the CUNY School of Public Health. They looked at several ways to estimate that cost, finding it can cost up to 2.9 times the average cost of health insurance and up to 17 times the average cost of employee training.
What employers can do …
- Foster a supportive culture where employees can feel safe voicing stress or mental health issues.
- Some employers use suggestion boxes where employees can share a stressful situation at work privately.
- Lead by example. Supervisors should publicly share coping strategies. Over time, such openness reduces stigma and encourages people to seek help earlier.
- Offer comprehensive mental health benefits and resources. Treat therapy and counseling on par with physical health care, including Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) for confidential support. Studies show every dollar spent on treatment can generate fourfold returns through reduced absenteeism and better productivity.
- Encourage work-life balance; discourage after-hours emails and texts, set limits to overtime and encourage taking vacation days. Some employers offer a quiet room for employee breaks.
- Implement wellness programs. Sponsor yoga classes, walking groups, or gym discounts to leverage exercise as a proven stress-buster. Let Physicians Quality Care OCCMed help. (Learn More.)
Source: EHS Today
