6 tips to reduce stress for your employees

by Reg G. A Human Resource Professional

Stress is a major cause of low productivity in companies. The reason is simple: it affects the physical and mental health of employees. However, as business owners, we have many alternatives to help our staff work in conditions that promote balance and health. Here are some ideas.

1. Balance the workload

Excessive work wears out employees and decreases their performance. When people feel that they cannot fulfill their responsibilities, their stress level rises. To avoid the above, distribute the tasks of the employees in an equitable way, maintain the appropriate workload for each of them according to their skills, knowledge, and available resources, delegate, so that team members have control over their activities and establish reasonable delivery times.

2. Value the employees

Many employees are afraid of losing their jobs because they are not productive enough. As a manager, it is your job to make them feel valued and recognized for their work. Promote a feedback culture in the workplace. Let employees give feedback to each other. In the meantime, you can also use platforms like the International Registrar of Employee and Employer Ratings (https://ireer.org/) and make them feel valued for their work.

3. Motivate employees

The objective is to generate loyalty towards the company, trusting that it will provide them with the tools to grow professionally. The work team can be motivated by recognizing their contributions and giving opportunities for promotion or professional development. Provide courses and training to the staff, set goals, and give rewards for reaching them.

4. Implement flexible hours and allow work from home

It is possible to evaluate which positions are suitable for these modalities and to structure work plans to measure results. In cases where it cannot be applied, a flexible schedule can be considered according to your needs.

5. Discourage overtime

Talk to your employees, make it clear that you expect the most from them during their eight-hour work schedule. That is, late arrivals or long meals are good reasons not to get promoted. But that when the end of the working day has come, you want everyone to leave the office to enjoy their personal lives.

6. Create a pleasant work environment

Dirty, messy, noisy, and dark spaces are proven to increase people's anxiety levels. Make sure that your company's offices are open and bright, and that they have comfortable furniture. Plants, flowers, some pretty pictures, or aromatherapy systems can also make the place more special.