Workplace StressAustralia may be experiencing an increase in mental stress and bullying at work
Sunday, 31 July 2011 16:00  Australian federal work health and safety regulator Comcare has recently reported that mental stress claims at work have increased 54 percent since 2006. Workplace stress can negatively affect productivity, employee loyalty and retention.Workplace stress may lead to fatigue that can weaken the body and mind, making illness and disease more likely and negatively impacting employee performance. Job stress can contribute to symptoms like headaches, mood and sleep disturbances, or possibly worsen existing medical conditions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Australian report revealed that bullying and harassment were major causes of stress along with the pressure of the work itself. While companies may have bullying policies, they can be insufficient. "In many cases, the policies can be subverted so that...sometimes people will turn a blind eye to it and sometimes people will block workers' attempts to bring it to the attention of senior staff," said Helen McGrath, a Deakin University psychologist. McGrath noted that Australian authorities have increased efforts to reduce bullying by educating workers on their rights. Occupational health and safety consultant Kevin Jones stated that some complaints, when investigated, turn out to be more of a misunderstanding or isolated incident rather than regular bullying. Workplace challenges point to a need for employee resilience
Thursday, 28 July 2011 16:00  In an economic environment where few things are certain, the ability of an employee or an organization to bounce back from a crisis or stressful event has perhaps never been so important.As a result, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) teamed up with two other organizations to define the strategies that administrators and workers can use to build their professional resilience. According to the CIPD, employee resilience can be supported with interventions that influence a more positive outlook. Additionally, workers should be supplied with tools and resources to develop skills to cope with stress. Such efforts may support a healthy overall lifestyle, the CIPD said. Organization resilience can be strengthened with a strong business ethics that promote trust in the workplace. Also, a management team that is concerned with improving worker engagement and employee wellness may help build a better team, making for a more flexible business. Employee wellness programs are available that promote reduced workplace stress and improved employee performance through healthy interventions and coaching methods. Worries can manifest themselves in several ways
Thursday, 28 July 2011 16:00  Workers who tend to worry a lot may show it in different ways, with some taking proactive measures to solve problems and others choosing instead to criticize an organization for perceived shortcomings.Researchers at Case Western Reserve University and Penn State University found that the different ways in which people express their inner fears may have a significant effect on their relationships. “The worry may be similar, but the impact of the worry on their interpersonal relationships would be extremely different. This suggests that interpersonal problems and worry may be intertwined,” said lead researcher Amy Przeworski. The team of scientists said that worriers tend to fall within four categories: intrusive, cold, nonassertive and exploitable. For example, a person who expresses their troubles in an intrusive manner may tend to excessively interrupt other individuals in an attempt to ease their mind. Others may be passive in how they deal with their fears, and some may be cold and critical of those who they perceive to be the cause of their worries. Employees who are overly worried may be in need of tools and resources to manage their workplace stress. Employee wellness programs that provide these have been shown to effectively improve employee performance while reducing tension in the office. Intense workplace stress comes with warning signs
Tuesday, 26 July 2011 16:00  A big part of reducing workplace stress levels is helping employees recognize the signs of overwhelming anxiety so they can take proactive measures to reduce or prevent the negative effects of workplace stress.Nonprofit organization HelpGuilde.org reports that employees who experience chronic tension may be less productive than their calmer counterparts, and that stress can lead to mental and physical disorders. Some of the more obvious signs of intense workplace stress include irritability, depression, apathy and loss of interest, according to the source. Additionally, workers may begin to feel fatigued during the day and sleepless at night. Stress can manifest itself physically in the form of muscle tension, headaches, gastrointestinal problems and loss of sex drive, the nonprofit reports. The American Psychological Association recommends that individuals take the warning signs of stress seriously. Recognizing the symptoms of intense stress can help people take proactive measures to manage their anxiety in a healthy way, possibly leading to better overall health. Employee wellness programs that provide tools and resources for stress management may help workers become more cognizant of their mental state, which may, in turn, improve employee performance and lead to a healthier staff. Structure may be key to reducing workplace stress for new employees
Tuesday, 19 July 2011 16:00  New hires have a tendency to be a bit nervous during their first days at a company as they learn more about the job and get acclimated to the work environment. However, there are several things that an organization can do to ensure a smooth, productive transition.A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Guelph and the University of Toronto suggests that structured orientation training and mentor programs may help new employees get comfortable. Authors said that strong "on-boarding" strategies helped rookies become more engaged in their new positions. These may include detailed training sessions and exercises that help them establish a rapport with co-workers. A safe environment and proper training are integral to employee engagement, which is also a key element in retaining talent. "Companies benefit from boosting their employees' well-being. Helping new hires adjust at the start empowers them to achieve their potential later on," said researcher Jamie Gruman. Introducing new hires to employee wellness programs early on may send the message that they are working at an organization that cares about keeping workplace stress low as well as ensuring healthy, happy, productive employees. More Articles...Page 10 of 28 |
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