As employees jet off on their well-earned summer holidays, the extra burden on staff left behind can lead to increased workplace stress - which can result in a range of debilitating problems. But businesses can prevent employees suffering by taking a 10 Step Stress Test, according to accountants and business advisors PKF.
Workplace stress is an increasing concern for businesses* and can manifest itself in a multitude of physical and mental ailments, including: back ache, diarrhoea, nausea, stuttering, sleeplessness, aggression, paranoia and depression. But 10 easy steps can stop staff suffering:
THE STRESS TEST
1. Timely advice. Well organised workloads and smoothly co-ordinated departments incur less stress. If someone''s regularly arriving late, staying late, not hitting their deadlines or has an in-tray piled so high you can''t see them, then time management could be the problem. Sorting out priority lists, easy access filing systems and learning when to delegate can all be taught through mentoring, informal training and day-long external courses.
2. Give yourself a medal. Reward yourself and your team members for successes. From a chocolate bar to a night out, make sure you mark the achievements and don''t just plod on relentlessly to the next task.
3. Have a break. Whether you''re in front of a computer screen, dealing with customers or working with machinery, it''s vital to have breaks to relax physically and mentally. Getting out of your chair and walking around the office helps to prevent back, neck and joint pain. It also helps you to connect with those around you, which, in the right doses, can increase team spirit.
4. Go on holiday. It''s vital to have a proper break to fully switch off from the pressures of work and re-energise. By booking in advance you also have something specific to look forward to. But don''t take the laptop...
5. Message in a bottle. Don''t bottle things up - by creating a culture where sharing and tackling problems is seen as normal and constructive there is less chance that someone will get dangerously overwhelmed and depressed. Managers should spot when someone is not working effectively and tackle it early on in a sensitive way, taking them aside and asking if they need to discuss any issues. Regular appraisals can help to avoid issues building up.
6. Call in the professionals. Does your firm have a counselling service? Is there anyone that staff can go to in confidence if they have a serious personal or work issue? Talking to someone with an objective viewpoint can put a fresh perspective on problems.
7. Work to live, not live to work. Is everyone in the department expected to work late, get in early and never take a full lunch-hour? Striking a work/life balance is crucial and making sure people are not working excessive hours not only makes them more productive, but is a good way to ensure they have time to relax and pursue other interests.
8. Work it out. Does your company have any organised sports activities or a subsidised gym membership? Exercise is not only a great stress reliever but boosts health and immunity to illness, keeping employees fit and happy and reducing sick leave. Physical activities can also be good team-building events (although a paid for pub night out can also boost spirits!).
9. Challenge negative thinking. If everyone in the office environment speaks negatively or sarcastically about work issues, it''s easy to accumulate a ''depressing'' atmosphere or to blow problems out of proportion. Set an example by looking at things in a positive light and suggesting an alternative reason behind things that can''t be changed (eg. That''s so typical of this company... becomes Well, it''s because that department is stretched at the moment, so it''s going to take longer than usual to get a decision.)
10. Laugh! It''s the best medicine...an office where people actually smile and see the funny side of things is one where stress levels are likely to be very low - a good boost for staff retention!
Martyn Potter, human resources consultant at PKF, said: The cost of stress is very high - sickness absence, reduced effectiveness, negative effects on other employees, accidents and errors and decreased retention and recruitment. If things get really bad there is also the possibility of litigation. Businesses definitely benefit from having a formal stress policy and making sure managers not only pick up on signs of stress early on, but informally train staff and set the tone for a workplace where problems are dealt with and responsibilities successfully handled. No one benefits from a stressed employer and no one wants to work for a company where they are going to be unhappy.
*A survey by the Government''s Health and Safety Executive in 2001/02 indicated that self-reported work-related stress, depression or anxiety accounted for an estimated 13.5 million lost working days per year in Britain. (For further information go to www.hse.gov.uk.) Research by the International Stress Management Association in 2002 showed that 64% of workers suffer from stress at work - up from 53% in 2001. (For further information go to www.isma.org.uk.)
Take the stress test to banish the workplace blues!
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