Workplace stress can pose a significant challenge for managers and business owners. While no one can completely avoid stress in the workplace, properly addressing it can keep your company running smoothly. Keep reading to learn about three ways to help your employees reduce workplace stress so that your team can thrive.
Encourage Fun
Most employees probably don’t think about having fun in the workplace. They show up expecting to work and go home. But having fun in the workplace can help you and your employees reduce your stress during the workday, ensuring people feel more comfortable coming into the office.
There are many ways you can encourage your employees to have fun. For example, you can use trivia games for team building, either outside of office hours or during group breaks during the day. Consider taking a team lunch break and catering in a meal. You can even renovate a storage closet or empty cubicle into a nap and relaxation zone. Many successful offices incorporate fun diversions like ping pong tables and board games. Try different options until you find the one that works best for your office and employees.
Communicate Openly About Breaks
One of the best ways to help employees reduce stress is to encourage them to take advantage of benefits and take breaks. While your Human Resources department can inform your employees about these benefits and break options, your reminders will help your staff feel more comfortable taking advantage of them. You can also lead by example and communicate how you use the benefits and breaks.
For example, if your company offers paid time off, don’t just encourage employees to use it. Schedule your own PTO and remind them that they are free to do the same. If you want employees to take two 15-minute breaks during the day, then take those same breaks yourself, and tell them you’re doing so. You can even invite them to play a quick ping pong match or take a walk around the office with you. This will help you build rapport and lower stress in the office.
Recognize Success
Good managers set their employees up for success. Recognizing that success will help your team focus more on their accomplishments than their stresses. It’s important to keep in mind that each employee has a different personality, so success and subsequent praise should look different for everyone.
For example, a team member who appreciates public acknowledgment will thrive if you applaud and celebrate a good presentation with the rest of your staff. On the other hand, a new employee may prefer private praise, so a card stuck on their desk that acknowledges their latest accomplishment will make them feel their best. Tailor your recognition to each employee so that they feel comfortable and appreciated.
There are many ways to help your employees reduce workplace stress. If you’re noticing a drop in productivity or a sense of unease among your team members, consider taking steps to create a healthier work environment.
Emilie St. John is a freelance journalist who appears weekly in the Los Angeles Wave newspaper and can be reached at [email protected].