The bounds of corporate responsibility are growing. Once simply the domain of work-boots and eye goggles, factors such as stress, posture and fatigue are now recognised occupational hazards that require management.
International studies have shown that stress is responsible for 61 per cent of absenteeism at work, 65-68 per cent of employees quitting and 80-90 per cent of workplace accidents.
Every one of us has our own optimal stress requirements. What is distressing to one may be a thrill to another.
However, unrelieved stress can lead to serious physical illness and can involve a long process of resolution.
There are some effective ways of managing stress, including learning how to manage your time more effectively, how to relax completely and how to balance your life so you meet your own and others needs effectively.
One British study found:
* 76 per cent of people consider themselves tired all the time
* 60 per cent feel anxious, tense and stressed a lot of the time
* 45 per cent have difficulty sleeping
* 43 per cent consider themselves depressed
Our world has completely changed, particularly our psychological world. We process so much more in a day now, we no longer live just in Tauranga, we live in the world and any piece of news in the world with significance, we share in about 30 minutes.
Not only are we living in a high tech era, we are also living in the midst of an information explosion.
Time has compressed. If you want to make a call, you pick up your cell phone. If you want to write a letter, you send an email and get a reply in 10 minutes. The social skills a child has to learn today just to be in the game compared to a child 50 years ago is completely different. Almost any study you do now is obsolete by the time you complete it.
As a species, we are going through this massive period of change and the signs are that we are not coping very well. Inherent in the whole process is an increased level of stress for both you and your employees.
The human machine is experiences more stress-related illness and burnout than ever before and many organisations, including ACC, OSH and the public health department, recognise the implications on health and encourage management of this. Our environment of constant change creates tremendous anxiety, stress and fear among employees who are now required to be resilient and flexible - but at what cost?
Organisations which do not employ backup and support systems to enhance employees coping mechanisms in this sophisticated and demanding business environment will continue to lose employees at an alarming rate.
Not only that but resolving stress-related conflict, although not numerically as high an incident as say, having a workplace accident, take up an enormous time on a case by case basis.
According to the OSH publication Managing Stress and Fatigue in the Workplace, these organisations may demonstrate:
* Low staff morale
* High absenteeism and staff turnover
* Poor employment relations
* Low productivity or quality of work
* Rising rates of accident or illness
* Rising customer complaints
* Increasing use of grievances procedures
* Increasing numbers of employees saying they are stressed
One thing's for certain, if left unchecked, high levels of organisational stress will exact a very real toll on your business. From increased accidents, to reduced productivity, to unnecessary absenteeism, to increased medical care costs; stress is insidious in its nature and devastating in its impact.
Careful analysis is necessary following wellness programmes to ensure they are achieving tangible results.
One clear way this shows is a reduction in sick hours.
Estimates suggest that New Zealand businesses lost $3 million in 1999 due to absenteeism and stress. Most companies know how many hours they are losing in sick leave per month. If it's been 60 hours for March and the next month its down to 32 you know the programme is working.
Changes to staff turnover are equally easy to track.
Paula Langridge is Director of TrainingZone Personal Training. For training enquiries, contact her on trainingzone@xtra.co.nz, 571-4605, 021-657015.
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