Six Questions To Make Your Workplace Stress-Free > NetSparsh

Home
>
Stress Management
>
Six Questions To Make Your Workplace Stress-Free

Six Questions To Make Your Workplace Stress-Free

Many CEOs see stress as an intractable problem which would cost too much to tackle properly -- or alternatively something that only affects 'whiners' whom their organisations would be better off without. Employee assistance programmes, corporate gym memberships and flexible hours are seen as expensive, of dubious effectiveness, and in the worst case, as mollycoddling staff. Many organisations do the bare minimum to comply with legislation -- and some get stung for heavy penalties as the law gradually tightens up.

Let's look at stress in a different way. Stress is a drain on your organisation's productivity, morale and commitment. When you remove the causes of stress in your organisation, not only will everyone feel better about coming to work, your bottom line will improve. And if you can get the answers right to these six simple common-sense questions, codes of practice and counselling programmes won't come into the equation. Are you interested yet?

Why The Questions Are In This Form

We could ask questions that look at the situation from the outside, like "Do my team members have what they need to do the job?" This detached, third-party viewpoint is the way that managers have traditionally looked at 'people factors' in the past. This won't get you the whole answer.

In order to understand the subjective experience of your people -- which is what determines their morale, stress levels and performance -- you have to put yourself in their shoes, or better still, ask them. This is why the questions are in the form they are. The information you need is in the answers you will get when your employees ask themselves these questions. You can get a lot of information just by putting yourself in the shoes of each of your team members -- with their resources and attitudes -- rather than assuming that they think in the same way you do.

The Questions

1. Are my work patterns and environment healthy?

-- Is the environment safe, clean, and easy on the eye?

-- Is it well laid out, with the things you need easy to find and get to?

-- Is it as quiet as it needs to be?

-- Is there a 'quiet room' for thinking / relaxation?

-- Can I take a break every hour and a half or so (more frequently if doing intense keyboard and screen work, or hard physical labour)?

--Are my de facto working hours reasonable (no more than 8 hours a day, except in cases of dire need)?

As a manager you need to set an example -- you are the model for success, so if you don't take breaks and go home at a reasonable time, nor will your team members.

2. Do I have what I need to do the job?

-- Do I have the equipment I need to do the job?

-- Do I know what is expected of me?

-- Do I have the skills and training to do the job?

-- Does my job allow me to do what I am best at?

3. Do I know when I'm doing a good job?

Ask yourself 'How do I know when I'm doing a good job?' If the answer is, 'I just know', you can feel happy doing your job without external feedback, and may even regard it as an insult to your competence. You'll still need some feedback as a 'reality check'.

People who answer 'The customer tells me' or 'The boss tells me' (and you need people like this in, for example, a customer service role) will literally not know if they are doing well unless they get regular feedback. If all they get is a yearly appraisal, don't be surprised if they feel increasingly nervous as it approaches.

4. Do I feel my job is important?

People need meaning in their lives. If the job is meaningful to them, they will feel more motivated and more able to overcome setbacks and difficulties.

5. Am I recognised as an individual?

People also need to feel valued. If they feel they are just an interchangeable cog in the machine, their sense of self will be threatened. They will also feel nervous about being replaced or disposed of.

6. Am I learning and growing?

A standard concept in stress management is the 'Human Performance Curve' . The idea is that when you're under pressure, your performance rises to meet the challenge. Beyond a certain point, or if the pressure is sustained for too long, we get 'burnout' as the person becomes exhausted. But, if there is too little challenge, we get the mirror-image condition of 'rust-out', which is equally stressful.

If they are not learning and growing, achievement-oriented people will begin to fret about their 'competitors' getting ahead. Rust-out is particularly a problem in organizations which punish mistakes rather than viewing them as opportunities for learning.

If someone is under-utilised, but fears to take the initiative because they are worried about doing something wrong, they are in a double-bind. After all, they are at work, so they are supposed to be working. This is when we get 'presenteeism' -- being at work and appearing to be busy without actually doing anything.

Conclusion

If you and your team members could answer 'Yes' to each of these questions, any stress remaining in the workplace will either be a healthy response to immediate external challenges, spurring the organisation on to greater efforts, or will be the consequence of external factors in the individual's life such as family pressures.

A well-run, pleasant workplace in which individuals are valued and have the opportunity to learn and grow will aid recovery even from external stresses, rather than making them worse. Stress is antithetical both to individual well-being and organizational productivity. It makes sense to minimise it.

Andy Smith is an Emotional Intelligence coach and NLP Trainer based in the UK. You can email him at [email protected] His website, at http:// www.practicaleq.com/products/, contains many free articles and downloads. Sign up for Andy's "Practical EQ" newsletter by sending a blank email to: [email protected]

In The News:

Stress management Stabroek NewsThis relationship only stressing me out.” “This wuk is bare stress.” “I fed up with all dis stress in meh life.” Sound familiar? Many of us can r.

District administration to hold stress management sessions Times of IndiaWith the Class XII state board examinations set to be held in a couple of weeks, the district administration has said that stress management sessions.

Stressed? 6 quick things nurses can eat or drink for stress relief Atlanta Journal ConstitutionNursing can be an unsung and thankless profession at times. Nurses can deal with long hours, verbally abusive doctors and patients, unruly families, not ...

Lack of employees' physical activity, stress leading concern for employers in India: Study Times NowThe lack of employees physical activity (62 per cent) and stress (55 per cent) are the top lifestyle risk factors identified by employers in India, the study said.

Herbs for Stress Management The Good Men ProjectWhat would it look like at work if everyone got along and was civil? Well, we live and work with so many types of people—some who act nice and some who.

Indian companies are finally recognising employee stress as a problem, finds a study Scroll.inIndian companies are finally recognising how self-destructive employee stress can be. They now consider stress as the second-biggest lifestyle risk among their ...

Managing Stress At Work New VisionStress is an inevitable feature of work and personal life. As organizations and their employees have come to perceive the consequences of stress as serious, ...

Old age and stress management - Why older people have more difficulty handling stress Times NowStress is caused due to cortisol - the stress hormone in the body. Stress is the cause of many diseases like heart attacks, diabetes and more. Older people may ...

Water Sports for Stress Management: 4 Ideas You Should Try! Thrive GlobalPlanning your next vacation? You should. Summer's a few months away. And you need a plan to relax. A well-planned vacation lets you de-stress. It energizes ...

Pardee column: How do stress and sadness affect the heart? BlueRidgeNow.comCan stress and sadness affect your heart? While more research is needed to determine the link between heart disease and stress, there is evidence that intense ...

JU organises lecture on holistic health, stress management through yoga State TimesSTATE TIMES NEWS JAMMU: The Department of Students Welfare in collaboration with the Directorate of Sports and Physical Education, University of Jammu ...

Employee stress now an HR concern The Asian AgeChennai: Promoting employee wellness has become an imperative for organizations, as most of them provide group health cover as part of employee benefit ...

Yandamoori Veerendranath shares stress management tips with students The New Indian ExpressThe academy hosted a stress management workshop to motivate students for better performance in exams.

Students learn stress management, healthy habits at UGA Heart Health Fair Red and BlackFebruary is American Heart Month, and the UGA University Health Center wants to make sure students get the resources they need. At the 5th annual Heart ...

Stress management tips are worth sharing | Editorials Leader-TelegramWe live in stressful times. Those who earn their living in agriculture have faced an extra heaping of stress in recent years due to depressed commodity prices, ...

Indian companies have realised how bad employee stress is QuartzIndian companies are finally recognising how self-destructive employee stress can be. They now consider stress as the second-biggest lifestyle risk among their ...

LACTIUM®, A NATURAL ANSWER FOR STRESS-MANAGEMENT NutraIngredients-usa.comDo you occasionally, or even regularly, feel tense ? Do you experience symptoms such as snacking, stomachaches or headaches, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, ...

O Week gets underway at James Cook University, Smithfield campus The Cairns PostMENTAL health and stress management will be a focus at James Cook Universitys O Week celebrations ahead of first classes to begin next week.

New research reports soaring stress levels among UK's small businesses Business MattersBusiness MattersNew research has found that high-street decline, a heavy workload and Brexit uncertainty are increasing strain on SMB owner's mental health.

Dr. John Duffy: Stress Management for Children and Adults WGN Radio - ChicagoDr. John Duffy is an author, clinical psychologist, family and parenting expert, and father and husband. He joins Bill and Wendy show to talk about the common ...

Simple ways to avoid getting swept up in stress HarpersBAZAAR.co.ukAhead of a busy, stressful period, heed advice from the Be Well Collective with these simple ways to avoid getting swept up in stress.

WPAFB offering stress management course Xenia GazetteWRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE — Stress is one of the factors that can negatively affect health, making it more difficult to reach goals. Over the f.

SRU Study Shows Therapeutic Riding Reduces Stress Levels Of Adolescents With Autism TAPinto.netNew Jersey Graduate Student On research Team. SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Anyone who's been to the Storm Harbor Equestrian Center at Slippery Rock ...

SCCL conducts seminar on stress management The Hans IndiaSingareni Collieries Company Limited SCCL has conducted a seminar for its staff at the corporate office meeting hall on Wednesday.

Work your brain: Keep your mind in shape as you age Cherry Hill Courier PostExercise, stress relief and learning new skills are just a few of the ways you can keep your brain healthy and ward off dementia.

Intl Motivational Talk organized Daily PioneerHard work always pays, this was said by a motivational speaker and psychologist Pooja Mehta. Pooja was addressing the students of Patel Institute of ...

Launch of the Critical Incident Stress Management (CSIM) team at the UCPR The Review NewspaperIn mid-January, the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) officially presented the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) group, whose mission ...

UCS survey reveals students thoughts on anxiety, stress management UI The Daily IowanAlthough many college students are probably aware of the high level of stress on their campus, or in their daily lives at school, fewer have probably given ...

179th Employee Honored As AF Civilian Employee Of The Year WMFD.comMANSFIELD - Emily A. Bachman, 179th Airlift Wing Airman and Family Readiness Program Manager, was honored by the Air National Guard as the Air Force ...

Now, schools give counselling to parents of wards taking board exams Times of IndiaStress-management and counselling sessions are no more confined to students who are about to write the board examinations. Several private schools in.

Culinary program to focus on stress management DeKalb Daily ChronicleDeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library will offer a culinary health program on stress management at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Samsung unveils trio of Fitness wearables including Galaxy Watch Active, Galaxy Fit USA TODAYSamsung Galaxy Fit and Galaxy Watch Active were officially announced on Wednesday. The new wearables take on Fitbit, Apple Watch in smartwatch market.

5 Ways Bosses Can Reduce the Stigma of Mental Health at Work HBR.org DailyExperts tell us that one in four adults will struggle with a mental health issue during his or her lifetime. At work, those suffering — from clinical conditions or more ...

Here's what HR must do to reduce workplace stress India TodayA research conducted by SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management) India in 2016 highlighted that disrespect at the workplace, lack of work-life balance, ...

Emotional support resources available for first responders The Ellsworth AmericanELLSWORTH — There is no doubt that the public safety profession is stressful. For police, firefighters and emergency medical *service* (EMS) personnel, it.

PPIC Water Policy Center Says “All Hands on Deck” Approach Needed to Manage Growing Water Stress in the San Joaquin Valley Sierra Sun TimesPublication: Water and the Future of the San Joaquin Valley. February 21, 2019 - SAN FRANCISCO - The San Joaquin Valley, California's largest agricultural ...

Stress on waste management The HinduKottayam municipal budget envisages ₹207.63-crore expenditure.

Study shows need of post-traumatic stress management Macau Daily TimesA recent study showed that the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among students at a local university stood at 5.1 percent, following Typhoon ...

Firm Pledges to Improve Health Status through Online Services THISDAY NewspapersUgo Aliogo. The ManagingDirector, of Healthy Living Services (HLS), Dr. Ify Maduka-Nwakwesi, has called on Nigerians and foreigners to improve their health ...

Samaritan offers tobacco-cessation class | Local | democratherald.com Albany Democrat HeraldSamaritan Health Services is offering a free, seven-week tobacco cessation workshop designed by the American Lung Association called "Freedom from ...

New Research Shows How You Lead Under Stress Has a Bigger Impact Than You Thought (Here's How to Get It Right) Inc.Most of us intuitively get how important it is to know what to do in times of adversity and even what not to do under adversity. But until now, you may not have ...

Stress Management In A Creative Sense EntrepreneurWe live in a world where change is continual and stress is inevitable. We have to learn to cope with what life throws at us, to adapt and grow through ...

Gilda's Club to Launch Eight Week Mind, Body, Spirit Challenge in Muscatine Voice of MuscatineGilda's Club to Launch Eight Week Mind, Body, Spirit Challenge in Muscatine.

Future of work requires both digital skills and emotional intelligence Business in VancouverDigital transformation is all around us, and the need for digital literacy in the workplace is evident. Digital skills are fast becoming how employees can access ...

Doctor preaches resiliency through farmer stress | Local News Mankato Free PressNORTH MANKATO — During his presentation on how farmers can and must take better care of ourselves, Dr. Amit Sood said addressing high stress levels ...

Cardiologist explains atrial fibrillation and its prevalence in Eastern North Carolina WNCTGREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) - February is American Heart Month and 9 On Your Side is working to raise awareness about heart health and heart disease ...

As Students Struggle With Stress and Depression, Colleges Act as Counselors The New York TimesMore than 60 percent of college students said they had experienced “overwhelming anxiety” in the past year. Over 40 percent said they felt so depressed they ...

How to stop cutting: Ways to help yourself and others Medical News TodayCutting is a type of self-harm. Although it can be a challenging habit to break, there are many ways to prevent yourself or others from cutting. Learn about them ...

Therapeutic riding helped lower stress levels of autistic youth - study HorsetalkA study in the US of autistic adolescents found that therapeutic horse riding was more effective than stress management programs in lowering levels of cortisol, ...

Volunteers wanting to answer the call for help Norwalk ReflectorMany residents in the southern part of the county want to know what they can do to help in the event of an emergency, especially after the Willard area was ...

Stevenson High School Board Candidates' Plans For Next 4 Years Journal & Topics Newspapers OnlineThe five individuals running for seats on the Stevenson High School Dist. 125 board shared their ideas on what is needed over the next four years, should ...

Counseling & Testing Center Announces 'Taking Care Week' Events The BuchteliteHave you started to feel those mid-semester blues? With midterms right around the corner, students' wellness and mental health may not be in the best state.

Destinations & Diversions: Eaglepalooza concerts to be held this weekend Shelbyville Times-GazetteEaglepalooza, a concert featuring performances from current and former Shelbyville Central High School students, will take place 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday in ...

A luxury wellness resort worth hopping on a plane for Emirates WomanThe Farm at San Benito in the Philippines is officially on our bucket list. Set within 48 hectares of lush green jungle, there are 33 exclusive suites and villas as ...

Peterborough firefighter shows you how to develop resiliency in new book ThePeterboroughExaminer.comPeterborough firefighter and author Dave Gillespie signed copies of his book Developing Firefighter Resiliency on Thursday at the Chapters store on ...

Employee Burnout: How Managers Can Curb Workplace Stress Corporate Wellness MagazineIn a recent survey by Deloitte, more than 77 percent of workers reported experiencing burnout at their current workplace. Burnout refers to the spectrum of ...

Stay away from distractions like mobile and television, Seer tells students Times of IndiaUDUPI: “SSLC exam results is not the ultimate thing in life. Do your job without expectation and the result will fall right. For the new generation, there are many ...

Last-minute panic? Just dial helpline Times of IndiaWith the board exams all set to start, Chandigarh's dedicated helpline is flooded with questions ranging from meaning of a poem to solving numericals.

Ways to live hearty healthy, fit | Sports The Fort Hood SentinelFebruary is American Hearth Month, a time dedicated to highlighting the importance of cardiovascular health for people of all ages.

CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2019 begins tomorrow: Over 18 lakh students to appear, check important last minute instructions India TodayThe Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 10 board examination 2019 begins tomorrow, February 21.

The Hormone Shift: Using Natural Hormone Balancing for Mood, Weight, Sleep & Female Health by Dawn Cutillo - Press Release Digital JournalCentral, PA - Hormones play a crucial role in kick-starting and regulating bodily functions, but now new science shows that hormones play a major role in weight ...

Peterborough firefighter holding book signing at Chapters on Thursday ThePeterboroughExaminer.comDeveloping Firefighter Resiliency offers techniques to deal with high-stress situations.

Joe Anglim: 5 Things About Fan-Favorite ‘Survivor’ Contestant Returning For Season 38 Hollywood LifeA VERY familiar face is returning for 'Survivor: Edge of Extinction' — Joe Anglim is back to play for a third time, and you can get to know him better before the ...

Arts & Culture - The Review UVU ReviewThe Woodbury Museum of Art is moving to the Lakemount Manor, a home donated to the school by the family of longtime UVU donor Melanie Bastian, beginning ...

Parents of boy to sue Melbourne school claiming he was 'marched to his death' on camp Daily MailThe parents of a child who died on a grueling death march in near 40 degree heat during a school camp in South Australia are suing the school.

Smashing Stress: Longtime Forensic Scientists Start Unusual Business Spectrum NewsThere are other similar businesses but Vimislik hopes her brand of controlled chaos is uniquely cathartic.

Vestido Rojo aims to motivate, teach women about living heart-healthy lives KSAT 12SAN ANTONIO - Vestido Rojo helps mothers, sisters and friends work together to fight heart disease. The program offers blood pressure checks, heart-healthy ...

What to Know About the Chronic Skin Disorder Charo’s Husband Faced Before His Suicide PEOPLE.comCharo's husband Kjell Rasten, who was found dead of suicide on Monday, was suffering from bullous pemphigoid, a rare skin condition.

Community Calendar (Feb. 20 edition) The Augusta ChronicleEVENTS Circle Theatre Play: Circle Theatre (325 Academy Street, Barnwell) presents the comedy “Not Your Average Zombie Apocalypse” on Feb. 22 and 23 ...

Lili Reinhart Says She Has Started Therapy Again TeenVogue.comIn an Instagram Story on February 16, Lili Reinhart opened up about returning to therapy for depression and anxiety.

Coming events: Learn about audiobooks and eBooks at this library demo Delta-OptimistCLUBS AND GROUPS Love to dance? There will be dances at KinVillage Community Centre in Tsawwassen every Friday night (8 to 10:30 p.m.) and Sunday ...

Here's How Meditation Can Help With Loneliness & Acceptance Of Your Emotions, According To Science Elite DailyLoneliness is something that everyone experiences at one point or another, but of course, just because it's common, that doesn't mean it's easy to deal with.

Brain health to take centre stage in 2019 – expert The NewspaperBrain health is set to take centre stage in 2019 with research showing that nutrition, sleep and stress management are among the most important factors ...

Four-day week: trial finds lower stress and increased productivity The GuardianThe founder of one of the first big companies to switch to a four-day working week has called on others to follow, claiming it has resulted in a 20% rise in ...

Know The Cause Of Your Stress To Be Able To Manage It Better: Says Lifestyle Coach Luke Coutinho NDTV NewsBelieve it or not, the amount of stress you take has a direct impact on your health. Following a healthy diet plan and exercising regularly are important ...

Tired? Overweight? Bioidentical Hormone Companies Promise Solutions, But Some Doctors Are Skeptical 90.5 WESAAt a Murrysville strip mall last month, more than a dozen people, mostly women in their 50s, 60s and 70s, crowded into a storefront.

RNHRD consultant leading international research into Raynaud's disease The Wiltshire Gazette and HeraldA CONSULTANT rheumatologist from the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD) in Bath is among an international team that's been…

10 Methods For Managing Stress That You Can Use Forbes NowDay-to-day stress can build up, potentially leaving you facing sleepless nights and troubled days. Here are some approaches that you can use to destress.

Are you dying to know tomorrow's mood today? The Independent | SUindependent.comWe are in the early stages of mood forecasting technology that could help stop bad moods even before they strike.

The Importance Of Stress Management For Leaders -Maggie Webber BW BusinessworldMaggie Webber - The best leaders in both large corporations and small to medium sized enterprises, are invariably more highly regarded for their emotional ...

Stress management in the work place [infographic] OUPblogEmployees in the modern work force are faced with obstacles every day that prompt stress. These work-related stressors can lead to different kinds of.

Global Heat Stress Monitor Market: In-Depth Market Research Report And Business Statistics – Key Players are TSI Incorporated, FLIR Systems, Nielsen-Kellerman, Romteck Australia Pty Ltd, Sensidyne, PCE Instruments, Air-Met Scientific, Enviro Systems Inc Wise AwarenessGlobal Heat Stress Monitor Market is expected to rise from its initial estimated value of USD 41.95 million in 2018 to an estimated value of USD 73.10 million by ...

How to improve stress management methods in 2019 Open Access GovernmentDarren Hockley, managing director DeltaNet International, provides some top tips on how to boost your stress management methods.

Family that lost 7 children in fire came to Halifax as refugees in 2017 CBC NewsSeven children, ranging in age from four months old to 14 years old, are dead following a fire early Tuesday — the deadliest house fire in recent Nova Scotia ...

When Life's Not Picture Perfect: Holiday Stress Management Southern New Hampshire UniversityIt's not hard to see the holidays can be stressful. But how do you find relief under the pressure of presents, parties and finding the perfect poinsettia?

Stress management 101: How to deal with stress and anxiety in the workplace NBCNews.comGretchen Rubin, author of “The Four Tendencies,” says these four things will help you better manage stress in the workplace.

13 Stress-Relief Toys That Actually Work Reader's DigestSome days, life can make even the calmest person feel anxious. Find your zen with one of these calming stress-relief toys.

Body/Mind Techniques for Stress Management tulsapeople.comThis event occurs weekly, on Thursday. Description. Body/Mind Techniques for Managing Stress. Trauma, fear, panic attacks, PTSD, diabetes, chronic pain, ...

Advance Stress Management techniques for Business Owners and CEOs CIOLWith great power comes great responsibility. Who knows this feeling better than our present-dayBusiness Owners and CEOs who must solve a million and a half ...

Students learn tools for stress management Times of IndiaCHANDIGARH: A workshop on how to manage stress was held at the ongoing NSS special camp being conducted at KB DAV School, Sector 7, Chandigarh, ...

How managers deal with stress impacts their employees Fast CompanyA new study finds that a manager's reactions to stress can be a key factor in their team's performance.

Promoting wellness and stress management in residents through emotiona | AMEP Dove Medical PressPromoting wellness and stress management in residents through emotional intelligence training Ramzan Shahid,1 Jerold Stirling,1 William Adams2 ...

Ask an Expert: Why stress management strategies work Cache Valley DailyStress is a universally experienced phenomenon. Although there are many causes, the methods of managing it are generally the same. Research from varying ...

Register for the Mindfulness & Stress Management Series CU Boulder TodayStress management is a concern for everyone in these busy and uncertain times. The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) is hosting a workshop series ...

The Need for Stress Management in Myanmar The Irrawaddy News MagazineBy Bo Kyi 9 October 2018. Management is becoming a popular conversation point in Myanmar these days, and rightly so. After all, in order to be successful, ...

Managing stress can be as easy as 1, 2, 3 Loma Linda University HealthWith all of life's responsibilities, deadlines and appointments, stress can be almost unavoidable. It can come from moments of frustration, or long-term problems.

Stress Management Tips - How to Handle High Stress and Anxiety MarieClaire.comCrisis and high-stakes situations can be terrifying to deal with, but if you use this military stress-beating strategy, you'll be able to handle anything that comes ...

Opinion | Students leave gift of stress management unopened University of Pittsburgh The Pitt NewsThe Cathedral commons and dorm rooms are filled with Christmas trees, Hanukkah menorahs and dazzling twinkle lights, but students must survive finals week ...

17 Ways to Eliminate Stress in 5, 10, and 30 Minutes HealthlineThere are tips and tricks that can help you get your cortisol levels down. If you need quick ways to keep your heart beating at a more manageable rate, read our ...

Journaling for stress management Excalibur OnlineGolnaz Taherian | Arts Editor Featured image courtesy of Jasmine Wiradharma, Comics Editor It's that time of the year again. A new semester is stretching out ...

Six Questions To Make Your Workplace Stress-Free

Stress Management Stress Management