What Role Does Stress Management Play in Enhancing Organizational Effectiveness?

In today's fast-paced work environment, stress management emerges as a critical factor in boosting organizational effectiveness and enhancing employee well-being. The State of the Global Workplace 2021 Report by Gallup confirms that more than half of workers (57%) suffer from high stress on the job. Elisa Burgos-Ojeda, Learning and Development Manager at nTech Workforce, delves into the importance of managing stress within the workplace and its direct impact on workplace productivity and employee satisfaction. 

HOW DOES STRESS IMPACT ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS AND EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE? 

Burgos-Ojeda begins by distinguishing between eustress, the positive form of stress that motivates and focuses us, and distress, which hampers productivity and mental clarity. "Stress is a part of life," she explains, emphasizing the utility of stress when channeled correctly. However, she also highlights the thin line between beneficial and harmful stress, noting: "Distress makes it very difficult to focus... affects the quality of our work leading to more errors, slower output, and less creativity." This shift from eustress to distress not only affects individual performance but also, cumulatively, organizational effectiveness. 

According to an article from Business: “Stress in a company may lead to restless employees who have the desire to find a less stressful job. This ultimately creates an increase in staff turnover, which forces your company to put more funding and time into hiring and training new employees.” 

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF WORKPLACE STRESS, AND HOW CAN ORGANIZATIONS PROACTIVELY ADDRESS THEM? 

Identifying signs of stress early prevents negative impacts on the workplace. Burgos-Ojeda lists symptoms such as: 

• Fatigue 
• Decreased quality of work
• And increased irritability

She advises organizations to foster a culture of open communication and building trust, allowing stressors to be addressed promptly. Additionally, she recommends watching for red flags like feeling undervalued or overworked, which exacerbates stress levels, suggesting: "Creating strategies to address these red flags... is a great first step for organizations to proactively address workplace stress." 

An article from Kyan Health shares: “Workplace stress can have a range of symptoms that can manifest in various ways. These include physical symptoms such as fatigue, chest pain, muscle aches or headaches, digestive problems, panic attacks, and nausea… and mental and behavioral symptoms such as trouble remembering or focusing, anxiety, irritability, mood swings, depression, overeating or undereating, social withdrawal, difficulty sleeping, and substance abuse.” Kyan Health also recommends organizations encourage an atmosphere of mental health openness by:  

• Addressing stress indicators in meetings
• And offering various resources like counseling or stress management seminars to support employees' well-being

WHAT STRESS MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES CAN ORGANIZATIONS OFFER TO EMPLOYEES? 

Highlighting the importance of accessible stress management resources, Burgos-Ojeda points to existing but underutilized programs such as Employee Assistance Groups (EAGs) and wellness programs. She advocates for stress management workshops and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives to combat workplace stress. "Stress management workshops provide tools employees, and their managers can lean on... Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging training and initiatives also help allay negative stress in the workplace," she notes, underscoring the role of education in fostering a supportive environment. 

The American Institute of Stress offers The Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist program for professionals looking to strengthen wellness and lower stress levels within their organization. The program covers a range of topics: “Health behavior change, program design, data analytics, and legal and ethical considerations. The program is designed to provide individuals with the tools they need to promote employee well-being and address workplace stress.” 

HOW CAN LEADERS FOSTER A CULTURE THAT PRIORITIZES MENTAL HEALTH AND STRESS REDUCTION? 

Leaders play a crucial role in shaping a workplace culture that values mental health. Burgos-Ojeda emphasizes the importance of leaders modeling stress management and sustainable work practices. "After all, they are often under a lot of stress, too," she remarks, adding that leaders should maintain open communication, listen actively, encourage a growth mindset, and connect individual work to the organization's broader mission. She also highlights the need for leaders to recognize signs of stress and address them effectively. 

In a previous edition of the nSider Blog on addressing employee burnout, Burgos-Ojeda recommends: “It's essential to have regular communications, like one-on-ones with the manager, that are based on a foundation of trust and rapport that is built over time.” 

WHAT ROLE DO EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES PLAY IN STRESS MANAGEMENT? 

Employee engagement initiatives are integral to stress management, according to Burgos-Ojeda. While one-time events may offer temporary relief, ongoing initiatives that strengthen stress management skills are more beneficial. "Initiatives that call on individuals to collaborate on creating solutions to the problems they see in the workplace are hugely engaging," she states, stressing the importance of implementing these solutions to prevent frustration and disengagement. 

An article from When I Work shares that engaging employees through events like office parties, learning sessions, and clubs greatly enhances team spirit and output. Additionally, demonstrating care for employees' well-being and work-life balance through wellness programs and flexible schedules is also crucial. And most importantly, encouraging career growth and seeking feedback regularly enhances job satisfaction and involvement. 

SUSTAINING SUCCESS THROUGH EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING 

Stress management is pivotal in maintaining organizational effectiveness and ensuring employee well-being. By recognizing the signs of distress early, fostering open communication, offering comprehensive stress management resources, and prioritizing mental health through leadership and engagement initiatives, organizations create a more productive, creative, and satisfied workforce. Burgos-Ojeda's insights serve as a valuable guide for leaders navigating the complexities of workplace stress and harnessing the potential of their teams.  

Visit the nSider Resource Hub to discover more articles on supporting employee well-being.