Five ways to make the workplace stress-free

Rising levels of stress are a common concern for employees in every industry sector. ET looks at ways organisations can make the workplace stress-free.

Have the basics in place

Getting the basics in place is the most crucial way in which an organisation can keep the workplace stress-free. This includes, “making sure job designs, workplace design and workflows are correct”, that employees are not being burdened with too much work or unrealistic deadlines and that company environmental conditions are not contributing to workplace stress, says Swapnil Kamat, founder, CEO and chief trainer at Work Better.

Improve communication

“This includes clearly defining employees’ roles and responsibilities, giving employees the opportunity to participate in decisions that affect their jobs and sharing information with employees to reduce uncertainty,” says Kamat. Agrees Deodutta Kurane, group president, human capital, YES Bank: “Relaxed conversations go a long way in keeping morale high.”

Stress-proof the workplace

“When we treat our employees fairly, they spend less time on who is getting an unfair share or looking for another job,” says Kurane. The organisational traits for low-stress work and increased productivity include: Recognition of employees for good work; opportunities for career development and a culture that values the individual worker.

Balance work and life

Employees have commitments within and outside the organisation. Juggling these can be stressful. Organisations must explore ways to support employees to improve their work-life balance. “Flexible working arrangements can help them to balance their commitments, reducing the pressure,” says Kamat.

Chart a career path

Career development plans let employees sit down with their managers and design a plan to achieve their goals. “The plan may include training, education and taking on further responsibilities. When employees know where their career is going, they tend to be more committed,” says Kamat. It is also important to acknowledge when employees perform well in their role, says Kurane.