Modern life can be hectic and stressful. This is of course also true in the workplace, where a fast pace, short deadlines and high expectations are among the ingredients in a sometimes dangerous cocktail that can trigger stress in the workplace.
In today's fast-paced work environment, managing stress in the workplace has become a necessity that cannot and should not be ignored. Stress can have serious consequences for employee wellbeing, productivity and ultimately their health.
In this problem, the manager is a crucial piece of the puzzle. Managers play a crucial role in creating a work environment that reduces stress and increases wellbeing. They hold the key to identifying, preventing and managing stressors that can affect their team members.
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So, in this blog post, we'll dive into why stress is so prevalent in the workplace, what the typical signs of stress are, and some tips on how you as a manager can prevent work-related stress.
Stress: The second most common work-related health problem
Stress in the workplace is an issue that cannot be ignored. In fact, it's such a big problem that the Danish Working Environment Authority estimates that work-related stress is - next to back problems - the most common work-related health problem in EU countries.
That's why it's an issue that should be at the top of every workplace's agenda. Tackling stress in the workplace is not only an investment in employee health and wellbeing, it's also a smart business decision.
Because when stress creeps in, the consequences for both employees and the company are clear. Most importantly, it will put enormous pressure on the individual employee if they are experiencing stress. However, as an employer, if you have stressed employees, you will also experience significant negative consequences. Productivity will drop, sickness absence will increase and job satisfaction will be threatened. More people may start to think 'Is it really worth it?' and start looking for greener pastures.
This leads to increased staff turnover, which is costly for companies, both in terms of recruitment and training costs for new employees and the loss of valuable knowledge and experience from previous employees. In addition, high turnover is also a problem for the continuation of a company's culture, as there will simply be a shortage of culture bearers.
What are the typical signs of stress?
Stress can manifest itself in many different ways in employees in the workplace. It's important for individuals and managers to be aware of these signs, as they can vary from person to person.
Physical signs of stress:
- Heart palpitations
- Headaches
- Sweating
- Inner turmoil
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Frequent infections
- Exacerbation of chronic diseases such as psoriasis and diabetes
Mental signs of stress:
- Unwillingness
- Fatigue
- Memory problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Restlessness
- Decreased mood
Behavioral signs of stress:
- Sleep problems
- Lack of engagement
- Aggressiveness
- Indecision
- Increased use of stimulants such as coffee, cigarettes and alcohol
- Increased sick leave
Recognizing these signs early can help you take the necessary steps to manage and prevent stress-related issues.
Learn more: Guide to better wellbeing in the workplace
Causes of stress in the workplace
Understanding what causes stress in the workplace is crucial to managing and preventing it. In this section, we'll explore the main causes of workplace stress and how they can affect employee wellbeing.
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- High work pressure and poor work-life balance: When faced with a constant stream of tasks, tight deadlines and an overwhelming amount of work, it can naturally lead to a pressurized workday. Faced with this constant and intense workload, it can also lead to feelings of inadequacy and stress, as you feel pressured to deliver results without sufficient time or resources, which can negatively impact your wellbeing.
High work pressure can also often lead to excessively long working days, which also negatively impacts work-life balance. If you extend your working days beyond the normal working day over a longer period of time, there will naturally be other things you struggle to get done. This adds to the feeling of pressure, which can also increase stress.
A general imbalance between work and personal life can also add an element of stress to everyday life and have a negative impact on both work and family life. This can quickly turn into a negative spiral, where the negative effects add new stress elements to everyday life. - Poor balance between demands and resources: If the demands placed on an employee in the workplace exceed the resources they have available to meet those demands, it can lead to stress as the employee feels like they are in constant overload and don't have enough support or resources to handle their work tasks effectively.
- Lack of clarity around can/should tasks: If employees don't have clear guidelines or expectations on what tasks should be prioritized, it can lead to stress as employees may feel unsure of how to prioritize their work.
- Low psychological safety: Low psychological safety in the workplace can also contribute to employee stress. If your employees don't feel safe to express their thoughts, ideas or concerns without fear of negative consequences, criticism or humiliation, it can have significant negative consequences - including stress and anxiety. Constantly worrying about saying or doing the wrong thing naturally creates a strain on emotional mental health.
Read more: How to create psychological safety in the workplace
- Uncertainty and job insecurity: Uncertainty and job insecurity are also two major factors that can contribute to workplace stress. If employees feel in constant danger of losing their job, this can create a persistent sense of stress and worry. Similarly, uncertainty on a more general level - for example, if employees don't have a clear understanding of what is expected of them in their job - can lead to confusion and doubt. They may spend unnecessary time and energy trying to decipher their tasks, which in turn can lead to stress and frustration.
Identifying and understanding the causes of workplace stress is the first step towards effective stress management. By recognizing the challenges employees may face, organizations can work towards creating a more supportive and healthy work environment.
The role of the manager in relation to stress levels in the workplace
As a manager, you are typically one of the most influential people in the workplace and therefore play a crucial role in the stress levels in the workplace. Your actions and decisions can have a significant impact on employee wellbeing - both positive and negative. Therefore, it's important to understand how you as a manager can help reduce stress and promote a healthy work culture.
The positive influence of the manager:
Managers can have a positive impact on stress levels by creating a supportive and healthy work environment. This includes:
- Attention: Managers should pay attention to employee wellbeing and listen to their concerns and needs. This builds trust and opens up the opportunity to address potential stressors.
- Clear expectations: Clear and realistic expectations for employees' work tasks can reduce uncertainty and prevent unnecessary stress.
- Support development: Encouraging employees' professional development and providing access to resources and opportunities for learning can boost their confidence and reduce stress.
- Promote work-life balance: Leaders can promote work-life balance by supporting flexible work arrangements and by being role models for a healthy balance themselves.
Learn more: Finding the balance between flexibility, productivity and connectedness in hybrid collaboration
The negative influence of the manager:
Unfortunately, managers can also contribute negatively to stress levels in the workplace if they are unaware of their responsibilities. This can include, for example:
- Overload: Overloading employees with too many tasks or expecting constant availability can lead to overwork and stress.
- Poor communication: Insufficient or poor communication from management can lead to confusion and uncertainty among employees.
- Lack of support: A lack of support and recognition from management can lead to feelings of under-appreciation and stress.
- Ignoring warning signs: Managers should be aware of early signs of stress in employees and take them seriously to prevent escalation.
It's crucial that managers recognize their responsibility to address stress in the workplace and actively work to create an environment that promotes wellbeing and productivity. By focusing on employee wellbeing, managers can help reduce stress and build a healthy and positive work culture.
10 tips to prevent work-related stress
We all want a workday that doesn't stress us out. For both employees and managers, it's important to know how to avoid being overwhelmed. In this section, we take a look at ten simple and practical steps you can take as a manager to prevent stress in the workplace and create a better working environment for everyone.
- Assess current stress levels: Start by taking a look at whether there are signs of stress among your employees. You can look for signs of physical or emotional strain, as well as changes in performance and behavior. Regular wellbeing conversations can also help identify stress early on.
- Identify stressors: Work closely with employees to identify specific stressors in the workplace. For example, is it the workload, deadlines, conflicts or changes in the company? Understanding the source of stress is crucial to tackling it effectively.
- Set priorities: Once the stressors have been identified, you need to set the necessary priorities. This could include redistributing the workload, changing deadlines or offering extra support where necessary.
- Create a stress policy: It's a good idea to implement a clear workplace stress policy that outlines how stress is managed and what resources are available to employees. This stress policy should be reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure that it is adapted to any changing circumstances in the company.
- Have realistic expectations and communicate them clearly: As a manager, it's crucial to have realistic expectations for employees' work tasks. By clearly and honestly communicating goals and expectations, managers can help reduce uncertainty and stress in the workplace.
- Be a supportive manager: Be open and approachable as a manager so employees feel comfortable sharing their concerns about stress. Foster psychological safety by actively listening and offering support and resources to help employees manage stress levels.
- Support flexibility and a healthy work-life balance: Encourage employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance by offering flexibility whenever possible. This could include working from home options, adjusted working hours or the ability to take breaks.
- Pay special attention to change: Changes in the company can be a source of increased stress. Pay special attention to employee wellbeing during periods of change and make sure to offer support and clear communication channels.
Read more: Change management: Succeed in an ever-changing world - Show interest in your employees: Take the time to show interest in your employees' wellbeing. Ask how they're feeling and pay attention to any changes in their behavior or performance.
- Follow up: After implementing measures to tackle stress, it's important to follow up regularly. This could include follow-up conversations with employees to assess whether they feel less stressed and whether the resources offered have been effective.
Preventing stress in the workplace is a way to take care of both yourself and your colleagues. By following these 10 tips, you can help create a more relaxed and productive workplace.
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