Stress stoppers

A cartoon made the rounds at work the other day: Two co-workers talking. One guy's eyes are virtually popping out of his head, he's clenching his teeth, and he's gripping his desk with both hands as hard as he can.

The punch line: "Stress? What stress? Why would I be stressed? I’m not stressed!"

Unfortunately, stress at work is the norm these days. Layoffs and budget cuts in every sector of the economy have struck fear and uncertainty in everyone's life. The signs of stressed-out workers are obvious. Who among us hasn't seen more than a few irritable, moody team members? Other early warning signs may include inability to perform the job at previous levels, unexplained illnesses, and strained interpersonal relationships.

By-products of stress include distraction, hopelessness, helplessness, inability to cope and problem solve, and depression; all leading to ineffectiveness at work. Sometimes, managers and CEOs may ignore or dismiss the signs of stress. We think workers are simply whining, or hypochondriacs, or wimps. This only exacerbates the problem, which is unproductive and expensive.

Stressed-out workers call in sick more often. In fact, according to the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, healthcare expenditures are nearly 50% greater for workers who report high levels of stress. Excess stress can also cause on-the-job injuries. Workers may rush a job to meet a quota or deadline, injuring themselves in the process. Or a distracted worker misses that last stair and takes a tumble.

Then there's the effect stress has on predisposition for chronic disease. According to a report from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, evidence shows that stress plays "an important role in several types of chronic health problems, especially cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, and psychological disorders."

Managing stress has become a workplace imperative for employers. Here are a few other simple ways to help stress-proof your company:

• Be honest. Production workers who see fewer and fewer orders coming in need to know whether this is normal ebb and flow, or if you'll be closing the doors soon.
• Invite employee participation. Organize group discussions and employee surveys to help employees participate in scheduling, rules and regulations, and decisions that affect their jobs.
• Encourage breaks. Whether in an office or a manufacturing facility, workers need to get up, get away from the computer screen or production line, and walk around periodically.
• Don't over-schedule. Try to organize the workload so it's more manageable and doable for all workers.
• Make work meaningful. Regularly demonstrate to employees how their work contributes to goals of your organization. In addition, provide new opportunities and stimulation even for workers who perform routine tasks.
• Fun distractions. Your healthcare provider may offer on-site classes and training in stress management solutions, along with stress-reduction classes, such as yoga and meditation. Be sure your workers know about these options.
• Offer support. If your community of employees is impacted by high rates of violence, divorce, or substance abuse consider bringing in support groups or professional services. This may  allow employees time to process difficult life issues and develop new coping skills to head off stress.

Stress in the workplace is no laughing matter. It's a real concern for today's employers. Helping workers, through organizational change and personal stress management techniques, can pay big dividends – for you, your workforce, and your company.