| |
les Stress
-> Questions & Answers
<< return
to previous page
PEOPLE MANAGERS MANAGING STRESS FOR THEIR PEOPLE
I run a small company outside Boston with a mix of sales and administrative staff—20 total. I’m looking for some stress relief activities that we can do at our annual retreat where we mostly do planning and team building work.
Thanks,
Bob
Dear Bob,
You may be anticipating suggestions such as bowling night, a mass nap or Duck-Duck-Goose, but I encourage you and other people managers to first examine workplace policies, procedures and environments for sources of stress promotion. Fun and games have their relaxation and team-building benefits, but identifying and addressing major sources of strain like communication gaps and scheduling patterns will better enable your company’s goals and employees’ health.
Your stress-reducing activities could start with group brainstorming around these questions that address many top sources of job dissatisfaction, burnout and rising healthcare costs:
- Are staff active participants in planning the work they will conduct?
- How can staff feel more included and in control of what they are doing?
- Do staff members feel good about the work they are doing; does it give them a sense of purpose?
- Are project timetables realistic?
- Does your company have clear lines of communication and opportunities for safe staff feedback?
- Are performance expectations clear?
- Does your work environment foster concentration, physical health, teamwork or other conditions particular to your field?
- Is all staff treated respectfully and are there accessible and uniform procedures for addressing mistreatment in your workplace?
- Do you offer institutional or as-needed flextime?
- Are individuals and work groups adequately rewarded for their work and successes?
- Do company heads model stress-reducing behavior?
Effective workplace stress reduction is a two-way street that requires more than subsidizing gym memberships; it also needs managers who take steps to prevent stress. You’re attention to this issue puts you on the right road and this can only help you reach your destinations.
Les
12/07
|
|
|
