How do you create a low stress workplace?

Creating a low stress workplace is crucial to keeping workers happy at work, preventing staff turnover, and having better performing teams.

Businesses who think that they get better results if their employees are stressed, working long hours or under pressure are making long-term mistakes

True, some pressure can be good. The extra adrenaline can help focus and energise. But no one can do their best if they are under constant pressure, so creating a low stress workplace is essential. Stress leads to anxiety, mental health issues, mistakes and poor performance. It can damage customer service and undermine team work. Mental health issues are more common than you think, with nearly half of us experiencing a mental health illness in our lifetime, and 1 in 6 workers in Australia experiencing a mental illness at any one time. Over time, employees will leave to seek a low stress workplace, or take extended periods of absence. In fact, mental illness is now the leading cause of long-term sickness absence in Australian workplaces and is estimated to cost the economy up to $12 billion a year. Find out more about supporting workers for better mental health.

The cost of recruitment and retraining alone should encourage businesses to put in processes to improve the mental wellbeing of their employees. CVGT Employment, as an employment service provider, is dedicated to supporting mental wellbeing of people we place into work, to ensure long term sustainable employment outcomes for our participants and employers.

Simple ways to support employee wellbeing during busy times

Identify stress trigger points to create a low stress workplace
Get feedback from employees via discussions and anonymous feedback forms to get a sense of where and when staff are under additional pressure. Are there certain times of the day or work cycle that are high stress? If so, do you need to rearrange rosters or duties so that the pressure is more even? Do you need to train employees in additional skills so that they can support  their team members during stressful times  in the day or when their colleagues need a break? Also, look at things like absenteeism and staff turnover to get a sense of the team being under pressure. Exit interviews also offer great, honest feedback that can help you shape the way you do things.  For more insights, check out 7 ways to overcome anxiety at work.

More play, not just work
Team building involves teamwork. A great way of building a team is to organise fun activities that involve everyone, no matter what their skills and experience. These activities will break the day or work cycle and provide a way to reduce stress. They will refocus the team and refresh commitment to the business. Choose the activities wisely though. You don’t want to add stress with the wrong exercise.

Reward and praise employees
Nothing reduces stress like praise and recognition. Stress will build if an employee is working beyond their limits but loses sight on why they are doing this. A quick “well done” and “thank you” can go a long way.

Support work-life balance
Most people lead busy lives and have to juggle home and family life. Support people with flexible work options such as remote or hybrid working options to help staff manage personal and professional commitments. Make sure that deadlines are achievable and encourage people to have time off, ensuring people take regular breaks. This will ultimately lead to a low stress workplace and workers who are happier and more productive.

Manage workload and expectations
We all want to make our clients happy by delivering in a short time frame. Whilst this is ideal from a client’s point of view, it can create unrealistic expectations about when things will be completed that puts extra pressure on your staff. Talk to your staff about what a realistic time frame is to promise to clients and also discuss internal deadlines to make sure they are achievable without making staff overburdened and stressed. You may also need to think about job roles and make sure people are not spending extra time on tasks outside their job description. Consider trying to use automation or AI tools to streamline repetitive tasks and free up employees to concentrate on what they specialise in.

Train managers in stress management
Providing training to managers to help them identify staff under stress though observing disengagement, mood shifts, and declining performance can help stop major problems before they occur. Managers who show empathy with regular check-ins and supportive conversations are much more likely to build trust and pick up small problems before they escalate. Providing conflict resolution training for managers can also equip managers with mediation skills to handle workplace disputes effectively.
By implementing these approaches in your business to create a low stress workplace, you can create a healthier, more engaged workforce and reduce stress-related turnover and burnout.

Connect to CVGT Employment

Everyday we assist businesses like yours by:

• Finding you staff that are ready to work
• Providing funding for workplace modifications
• Ongoing support to assist you with staff retention
• Assisting with access to wage subsidies and employment incentives
• Minimising your risk when hiring new staff

Learn more

If you would like to learn more about how CVGT Employment can support your business to grow or diversify, visit cvgt.com.au or contact us today on 132 848.