As a leader, you have a good read on workplace wellbeing among your team—most of the time. However, even the most attuned leaders aren’t always privy to everything that’s going on with their staff. Inevitably, issues will crop up that can seem like major problems without a clear solution. In many cases, workplace stress is to blame. The good news? Even though these problems can seem daunting, addressing them can be simple with the right approach and stress management exercises. 

In this article, we’ll walk through 3 signs your team is experiencing stress, which can often manifest as bigger headaches than they really are. Fortunately, there is a straightforward solution, and we’ll explore several strategies for managing stress in the workplace to enable you to foster greater wellbeing. Here’s what to look out for:

• Poor performance and engagement

• Low team morale or high tension

• Lack of productivity

Stress management for employees: 3 headaches to address

Stress is inevitable, so instead of trying to avoid it, it’s best to focus on recognizing it and equipping your team with the tools to overcome it. Let’s start with some signs of stress that you as a leader should be aware of, so you can intercept and help.

1. Poor performance and engagement

When an employee is stressed, they may find that small problems feel completely overwhelming. For example, you might notice that a team member has started avoiding client complaints, rather than seeing these situations as opportunities to make things right and earn a lifelong customer who is thrilled with the creative solution to their problem.

You may also notice that workplace wellbeing is on the decline with an increase in accidents or incident reports. Stress can be the culprit in these circumstances, too, causing your employees to be fatigued and distracted. It’s critical to address these issues, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Simple stress management tools can help immensely.

2. Low team morale or high tension

Culture plays a huge role in workplace wellbeing. While no one can be chipper every moment of every day, a spike in negative attitudes can signal that your team is stressed. So, keep your eyes open for changes in behaviour like employees blaming others for their problems or not taking accountability for their work.

Low morale and high tension can feel like major problems when you’re in the thick of them. While these are serious issues, the good news is that you can easily improve them with stress management exercises that equip team members with the support they need to navigate challenging situations.

3. Lack of productivity

An uptick in absenteeism or a lack of focus at work can mean that a person is experiencing stress. In fact, 37% of workers surveyed by ComPsych reported that stress causes them to lose at least one hour per day in productivity.

If your high-performing team seems less motivated than normal, easily distracted, or more tired than usual, there is a straightforward solution. Try implementing strategies for managing stress in the workplace, and you’re likely to see transformative results.

How to improve workplace wellbeing once you’ve identified stress

In an ideal world, every organization would prioritize workplace wellbeing before stress reaches a fever pitch. However, if this hasn’t been a huge focus at your company, it’s never too late to start. Here are a few stress management exercises and initiatives you can employ today.

• Show interest and appreciation in your employees. This is an easy way to begin, and it can be as straightforward as asking individuals how they’re doing and letting them know you’re grateful for their hard work.

• Open the lines of communication further. Sometimes, you’ll need to go beyond the niceties and get into the trenches with your team. You can still encourage resourcefulness, but let them know they can come to you with problems if they need to, and you’ll find a solution together.

• Make sure people take breaks. Does your workplace have the kind of culture where everyone eats lunch at their desk, frantically responding to emails before their next meeting? If so, it’s time to make a change. The same goes for vacation days—make sure your staff use what’s allotted to them.

• Offer engaging mental health resources. If you find that your organization’s employee assistance program doesn’t get much uptake, you’re not alone. Consider offering a more engaging style of support like a workshop that your staff will leave with tangible tools they can use right away.

Address the signs of stress in your team

The reality is, sometimes even when your organization offers mental health resources, they’re under utilized. But that doesn’t mean your work is done. You just need another tool in your stress-busting toolkit.

Are you looking for an engaging, well-attended program to boost workplace wellbeing?

Book a call with me to discuss how my workplace programming can equip your team to handle anything that life throws their way.