Save Money by Reducing Workplace Stress

The American Institute of Stress estimates that workplace stress costs U.S. businesses more than $300 billion each year due to absenteeism, employee turnover, medical costs and diminished productivity.

That means that reducing workplace stress not only helps your employees maintain happy and healthy lives, but it will help your business be more profitable and productive.

Consider implementing some or all of the following stress reduction strategies at your workplace:

• Establish an employee recognition program for rewarding exceptional work performance.
• Provide opportunities for career development.
• Ensure management actions are consistent with organizational values.
• Provide stress management training and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Promote employee exercise programs, and offer healthy food options in vending machines or in the cafeteria

DID YOU KNOW?

According to researchers at the University of Georgia, work-life balance (or the lack thereof) can have a significant effect on occupational injury rates.

The study, which was published in the March issue of the Journal of Safety Research, looked at the mutual interference between job and family demands. In situations where work interferes with family life or family demands affect job performance, researchers found that the risk for injury increased 37 percent.