Stress affects everyone and everyone reacts differently to it, depending upon their physical or mental make-up, their level of vulnerability, and what else is happening in their life.
Management can alleviate stress amongst its workforce by informing staff about the personal costs and risks of stress and by dealing with the risks of stress proactively.
Larger organisations might consider investing in stress reduction strategies, such as:
- employee assistance programs are confidential services for all employees and their families to deal with problems that may be causing difficulties in their work or personal lives.
- mental wellness forums, or activities that promote healthy practices such as home and life balance, physical exercise, diet, and stress reduction practices.
All organisations can:
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promote stress reduction policies in staff recruitment, induction and training processes
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put reminders containing tips for stress management in staff bulletins and or on noticeboards
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print this fact sheet and make available to all staff.
Stress awareness messages for use by employers to educate staff and management
- Stress can affect physical and mental health, work productivity, and personal lives.
- A certain amount of stress helps us get the job done under pressure, gives us energy and a positive experience of our abilities.
- Too much stress can distort our ability to plan and do our job well, gets in the way of good communication, reduces our belief in our abilities, and can cause depression and other mental illnesses.
- Be aware of the factors that cause you stress.
- Common signs of stress include feelings of hopelessness, agitation, anxiety (heart palpitations, shortness of breath), making mistakes, forgetfulness, poor communication, being easily angered, and increased intake of alcohol or drugs.
- Delaying your response to stress might result in worsening reactions and/or deteriorating mental health.
- It can be helpful for others to notice changes in how we seem to be coping and give us feedback about this. ‘Is there someone at work whom I trust to notice my signs of stress?’.
- Take lunch and tea breaks, and get physical exercise at lunchtime to release tension and activate natural endorphins.
- Discuss work concerns with a counsellor, or trusted friend, who can give good advice.
- Resist turning to alcohol or drugs.
- Use your sick leave to see your doctor and discuss your concerns, as they are likely to impact on your health.
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