Communication a key stress reliever

A 1991 study on reducing workers’ stress by Northwester National Life Insurance Co. found that the most significant stress reliever was communication among employees and between management and employees.

Peggy Lawless, research project director of the study, said to reduce stress in the work force companies should create an environment where employees talk with each other and resolve personal conflicts.

Another stress reliever Lawless mentioned was that management should offer workers support and recognition.

“Employees thrive on having decision-making ability, and they feel less stressed when they don’t have to face a lot of red tape,” Lawless said.

In this same study the following characteristics were found to affect the frequency of stress-related illnesses and burnout of employees.

In a low-stress workplace:

Management and employees communicate openly.
Management encourages humor in the workplace.
Jobs are well-defined and employees have adequate control in how they perform their jobs.
Benefits and compensation are competitive.
Employees can relax or exercise during the work day.

Not that in low stress, communication, freedom, relaxation and absence of threats are indicators.

In a medium-stress workplace:

The organization deals with recent layoffs.
Employees deal with too much red tape.
Employee work loads vary greatly.
Overtime is frequent.
Management is supportive, communicates openly and is concerned about job stress.

Note that the medium stress work place could improve by reducing the amount of red tape employees must deal with and by better defining job descriptions.

In a high-stress work place:

Management does not communicate with or delegate control to employees.
Employees’ work is fast-paced and performed in poor environmental conditions.
Overtime is frequent.
Personal conflicts are common.
Employee benefits have reduced recently.

Some of the warning signs that are evident in stressful working places are:

Employees express feelings of being overwhelmed and feel that their lives in the workplace are frequently out of control.
Employees have somatic complaints, such as headaches, back pain and gastrointestinal discomfort.
Employees have feelings of hopelessness, loss of purpose and boredom.
Irritability, problems in concentration at work and wanting to detach from co-workers and management are common.
Absenteeism, work-related accidents, and certain contagious illnesses like colds and viruses are on the increase.
Conflicts between employees increase.

Next week I will discuss some techniques for stress reduction in the workplace.

Copyright c 1994 Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D.