Stress can have a negative impact on our health, leading to mental health issues. These issues may include clinical mental illness, substance use disorders, as well as more temporary emotions such as stress, grief, anxiety, and sadness that are not part of a diagnosable condition. Although there are various sources of stress in our lives, work can sometimes be a significant contributor. Nevertheless, workplaces can also serve as a valuable source of resources, solutions, and activities to improve our mental health and overall well-being.

Recognizing the impact that workplaces can have on stress levels, it becomes crucial to identify how it manifests among employees. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), workplace stress and poor mental health can negatively affect workers through:

• Job performance
• Productivity
• Work engagement and communication
• Physical capability and daily functioning

Awareness of stress symptoms can guide management in providing effective support and solutions. Look out for employees who may be acting out of character, become argumentative, are withdrawn from others, show up late, call in sick more often, or not completing assignments on time. Keep in touch with employees by talking to them to see how they are doing. Ask employees if they need help, such as reducing their workload, providing additional training, or offering a leave of absence to deal with personal issues.

Support extends beyond recognition; it involves active engagement and skill development among managers. It is important to demonstrate to employees that you care and understand them. Let them know you want them to succeed in the workplace. It is also crucial to provide soft skills, also known as people skills or interpersonal skills training to managers. These skills can help managers understand that everyone is different and help them to better communicate and manage their staff more effectively.

Fostering teamwork is another key strategy in stress management. Managers can promote a greater team environment where employees look out for and help one another. There are various types of team-building exercises that can foster a team environment. Team-building exercises can also help employees better understand each other, work through personality conflicts, and enable them to work better with others and want to work collaboratively.

While teamwork is essential, clear and effective communication is equally important in reducing workplace stress. Not knowing what is going on or relying on gossip can cause confusion or worry about job security. Talk with employees to understand their needs. This will help in determining what is communicated, how it is communicated, and when important information is shared with employees.

Specialized support services offer another layer of assistance. Managers can provide their employees with an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Employees can access assistance on various topics such as substance abuse, parenting and children, health, self-help and self-assessment, domestic violence, finances, grief and loss, and obtain legal referrals. EAP consulting is confidential, so employees can feel safe accessing the service without anyone in the company knowing about it. Employees can also seek psychological help through their medical provider. Most health plans include psychological coverage.

Concluding with a broader perspective, we see how these efforts contribute to overall workplace well-being. Helping employees deal with stress will benefit not only the employee but also their coworkers and managers. Employees don’t have to go through difficult times alone. Remind employees that there are people who can help as well as various resources that are available to them.