Stress Management in Organizations

Think of a scenario where you have to throw in the towel for a job you have held and one you prayed so hard to get in a coveted organization or entity because you could not handle the stress of the management demands?.

Employee stress has become a growing concern for organizations today as it is a lively circumstance in which people face constraints, opportunities, or loss of something they desire and for which the consequence is both unpredictable as well as crucial. Stress is the response of people to the unreasonable/excessive pressure or demands placed on them.

As an employee, should you notice some of these factors: absenteeism, escaping from work responsibilities, arriving late, leaving early, deterioration in work performance, more of error prone work, memory loss and arguing, Stop and reflect!!

Essentially, organizations should have effective stress management strategies so that the detrimental repercussions of stress on the employees as well as their performance can be reduced and/or controlled.  With the growth in organizational stress and complexity, there is increase in organizational stressors which cause stress among employees such as:-

·         The salary structure

·         Ineffective communication

·         Goals ambiguity

·         Strict rules and regulations

·         Lack of employees’ participation in decision-making

·         Formal organization structure

·         Less promotional opportunities

·         Excessive control over the employees by their seniors

How to manage organizational stress?

1.      Enhance more of organizational communication with the employees/ Effective communication.

2.      Encourage employees’ participation in decision-making.

3.      Meaningful and timely feedback is paramount.

4.      Organizational goals should be realistic, stimulating and particular.

5.      Accord a fair and just distribution of incentives and salary structure.

6.      Create a just and safe working environment.

7.      Appreciate the employees on accomplishing and over-exceeding their targets.

 

"It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it". ~Lou Holtz