The economy is supposedly getting better. And yet according to a recent study, 83% of U.S. employees are stressed by at least one work-related issue – which is up 10% from last year. The study, which was commissioned by Everest College, showed that “unreasonable workload” and “low pay” were the two biggest sources of stress for today’s workers.
While employers are focused on bottom lines, they’re not taking into account the personal impact it’s making on their workforce. And, as one of the leading staffing agencies in Dade County, Future Force can tell you that when employees are stressed, it can lead to all kinds of expensive consequences, like lowered productivity, reduced morale, more expensive health care costs – and the list goes on.
So if things are getting stressful at work, how can you turn it around – and build an optimistic workforce? Here are some tips:
Tip #1: Lead By Example
Look at your own behavior. Do you regularly act stressed, grumble, get angry, or speak negative words out loud? If you do, then your employees are going to follow suit. Instead, lead by example. That doesn’t mean sugar-coating the situation, but it does mean being an encourager, optimistic, and more goal- and solution-oriented.
Tip #2: Stop the Whiners
Do you have employees who are always whining, focusing on the negative, and shooting down ideas? These people are like a disease that spreads quickly and kills motivation. That’s why you need to put a stop to them. Pull them aside privately and let them know their attitude is negatively impacting the entire team. They may not even realize it.
Tip #3: Focus on the Future
It’s easy to dwell on the good, old days of the past – but doing so doesn’t help in terms of achieving goals. Instead, focus on the future. In other words, what do you and your team need to do right now in order to produce positive results down the line? Show each employee how they individually fit into the equation and how they personally stand to benefit from accomplishing goals.
Tip #4: Teach Stress Management
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to help your employees manage stress. For instance, make sure they have a break room or area that serves as a sanctuary during the work day. Create a library in it with books and educational resources for managing stress and promoting inspiration and creativity. Start a monthly brown bag lunch session during which employees can open up, talk about daily stressors, and offer each other support. Whatever you do, your goal should be to create more positive energy – and a more positive environment in which employees feel supported and encouraged.
Bonus Tip:
Another way to create a more positive workforce is to hire for attitude. In other words, hire those individuals who are naturally optimistic and have a good attitude. If you need some help in the process, give Future Force a call. As one of the leading staffing agencies in Dade County, we’ve helped thousands of clients find qualified and reliable talent – with strong skills and the right attitudes – on a short-term, seasonal, and full-time basis. And we can help you too! Contact Future Force today to learn more.