ACTUALLY Reducing Stress in the Workplace.
Although it’s only a part of what we do here at Human Everything HQ, we do talk about mental health because it’s a fundamental part of being human.
And a little bit like Ant and Dec, you don’t get one without the other. There simply IS no health without mental health.
Photo by juan mendez: https://www.pexels.com/photo/smiling-woman-looking-upright-standing-against-yellow-wall-1536619/
Those eagle-eyed and with the ability to remember what they had for breakfast yesterday, may also remember that April was stress awareness month.
There is great work being done to raise the awareness of stress in the workplace and getting that into everyday chat.
And amazing news! We see a lot of people becoming very aware of their high stress levels – huzzah!
What we don’t see so much of, is an actionable plan to actually reduce stress levels.
Yes, yes, there’s a whole bunch of stuff on mindfulness, making sure you exercise properly and eat healthy food… but seriously, is that the best there is out there to help*?
*feeling almost giddy, flirting with controversy in this impertinent manner.
>enters human everything stage left<
4 Actionable Ways to Reduce Stress in Your Workplace.
Photo by Gratisography: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-woman-eyes-face-4636/
1 Find out what’s actually going on.
If your team are stressed, have you ever found out why?
Asking the questions that need asking is often missed off the list of even the most awesome business owners, so pencil this into your diary.
Run a regular poll, take some time during a team meeting, ask people during their one to ones, run a survey… however you choose to do it, find out if there is stress in your workplace and where are the areas it’s lurking in?
Photo by Image Hunter: https://www.pexels.com/photo/concept-image-with-a-question-on-a-sticky-note-against-green-hedge-13092792/
2 Root Cause Analysis.
Yeah we know, sounds a bit geeky.
Rest assured, get to the bottom of what’s causing stress in your workplace and get it sorted.
All the joss sticks, lycra and fruit baskets in the world aren’t going to help if stress is being caused by Anthony in Accounts at month end.
Simply put, identify the problem – do this by talking to your people. Then keep asking why.
It takes around 5 “why’s” to get to the bottom (the root cause) and expose the core issues.
Here’s an example:
“Anthony is a monster at the end of the month. He’s a mean little man and I hate having to ask him anything at the end of the month, which I need to do because he has the figures I need for my report to the directors. Its so stressful!”
- Why?
“Well he ‘s so busy and he makes me feel like an idiot for asking for my numbers”.
- Why?
“Well, its month end and he has important deadlines, and I can’t help needing the information”.
- Why?
“The directors want my report at the start of the next month in time for their board meeting”.
- Why?
They need to have the most up to date numbers for their planning.
Perceived problem: Anthony is a mean spirited and unhelpful accountant.
Actual problem: The timing of the Board meeting adds additional pressure during an already pressure loaded time period.
Solutions?
Can the Board meeting be scheduled a few days later, allowing more time for information gathering?
Can someone else in the accounts team be trained to provide the numbers you need?
… other suggestions and possible solutions will most likely come from the team… but if you don’t know what’s causing the issue, you can’t help fix it.
Photo by Gustavo Fring: https://www.pexels.com/photo/businessman-experiencing-burnout-6285278/
3 Consider Your Meeting Times.
Whether face to face or virtual, make your meetings less than an hour.
Meetings will fill the time they are given.
No one is going to be sad if a meeting finishes early, but better yet, have a hard finish, 15 minutes before the hour and give people a fighting chance to have a wee, refresh their drink, heck, even check their emails before heading into the next one.
Photo by Amina Filkins: https://www.pexels.com/photo/happy-couple-eating-tasty-sandwiches-at-home-5424611/
4 Make Lunch Time Sacred.
It makes me really sad when people tell me that their lunch hours are filled with meetings because “that’s the only time they are available”.
Face palm.
Just no.
Commit to sacred time in your business.
12 – 2pm, whatever works for you, I don’t care, but make sure that the time is ringfenced for someone to take a decent break.
Don’t book meetings into people’s lunch hours or else I will find you, and I may possibly have to kill you.
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto: https://www.pexels.com/photo/exited-diverse-couple-relocating-in-new-apartment-4246061/
Other ways you can reduce your stress!
Sign up for the Human Everything Series!
One hour each month focusing on a different element of your People Strategy.
May 30th: How you can support mental health in your workplace.
2 – 3pm
online
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Motivate and inspire your teams
Develop your management style
Embed your culture and values
and much more!
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