According to experts presenteeism costs employers over $300 Billion a year. Presenteeism may be an unfamiliar term, but it is becoming more common in the workplace. This refers to the lost productivity that occurs when employees are not fully functioning in the workplace because of an illness, stress, injury, or other conditions. Even though the employee may be physically at work, they may not be able to perform their duties and are more likely to make mistakes on the job. Stress is a leading contributor to many health problems and the leading cause of presenteeism. In addition, the workplace can be a major source of stress. As an employer, you can take several steps to ensure that the workplace is not contributing unduly to employees’ stress levels.
What are some of the signs of work-related stress?
An overall change in the way someone thinks or feels can be a sign of stress. Examples of some of these changes can include mood swings. being withdrawn or acting nervous. loss of motivation, commitment, and confidence. If an employee is taking more time off or consistently arriving for work later, it may be time to have a conversation.
As an employer, you can take several steps to ensure that the workplace is not contributing unduly to employees’ stress levels.
• Make sure that workloads are appropriate.
• Have managers meet regularly with employees to facilitate communication.
• Address negative and illegal actions in the workplace immediately—do not tolerate bullying, discrimination, or any other similar behaviors.
• Recognize and celebrate employees’ successes. This contributes to morale and decreases stress levels.
Aside from addressing job-related issues, you can implement a variety of activities and initiatives to help reduce stress. Some suggestions include the following:
• Provide a designated space where employees can sit quietly and use meditation or prayer to alleviate their stress.
• Provide employees with the education and tools to manage time and tasks, to cope with daily stressors and to prevent stress from damaging their health. You can present a stress management class or provide educational materials. AUI recently partnered with several community organizations to present GRIT (Growing Impactful Resilient Teams)
• Increase the number of paid vacation or personal days that you give to employees and encourage employees to take the vacation days available to them each year.
Stress can originate at home or in the workplace. Avoid adding to employee stress with inefficient and frustrating policies or overwhelming workloads and use the above suggestions to cultivate a positive and supportive workplace culture. AUI’s goal is to help you create a benefit package to help your employees thrive.
Why you should talk to our team at AUI
At AUI we take a proactive approach to your benefits. We will find you the best options and build relationships with you because we care about you. We want to see your business succeed and finding the correct plan will help you achieve that. You deserve better and want to prove that to you by providing it to you.
