In every job or industry, employees will experience stress at one point or another.

Unfortunately, stress affects everyone, regardless of your occupation.

The American Institute of Stress notes that approximately one million workers are absent from work every day due to stress. We know that work can be stressful at times, but as an employer, there are ways in which you can help reduce the stress in your workplace. To help you accomplish this, let us share a few tips to help your employees manage stressful situations in a healthy and positive way.

1. Create a positive work culture.

One effective way to reduce stress in the workplace is to create a positive work culture, if one does not exist already. Implementing an open-door policy for your employees to stop by and share any concerns or particularly challenging assignments can act as a much-needed stress reliever. You may also consider implementing a monthly office happy hour or encouraging employees to join a recreational sports league so they have an opportunity to connect with the company while blowing off steam.

2. If possible, encourage a flexible work schedule.

Being in an office from nine-to-five every day can be challenging for some employees, as the set working hours may not be the right fit for their unique lifestyles. If possible, consider encouraging your employees to create their own flexible work schedule that accommodates their needs. Allowing your employees to take a personal day if needed, or come into work early and leave early so they can take their children to school or daycare can reduce stress. As a result, your employees may be more hard-working and happy at the workplace.

3. Connect your employees to resources.

Sometimes, stress can be overwhelming and difficult to handle. If you notice that a particular employee experiences a sudden loss of interest in work, frequent fatigue, and trouble concentrating, there may be a bigger issue at play. If this occurs, we encourage you to connect your employees to resources, such as a local therapist or a trusted advisor to delve further into the issue. Be sure that you approach this topic with increased sensitivity, however,  and do not pressure the employee to share with you any personal reasons that may be contributing to their stress levels.

Sometimes, simply letting your employees know that you are there to talk if need be is enough to help them feel as though they have an outlet. If you are an employer, or an employee, and have questions on these or other potential employment issues, do not wait to contact us for a case evaluation. We are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to help you get the legal representation you need.