Implementing wellness programs
Stress
management calls for the initiation of wellness programs by the human
resource manager. These programs assist in managing employee’s lives by
eliminating stress at work and home. It has been proven to be successful
in Singapore after a research has been conducted on how wellness
program positively affect the employees in an organization. (Ho, 1997)
Such programs include employee assistance programs, workshops specially
made for effective stress management, fitness subsidies, gyms and
massage days at work. Additionally, effective stress management programs
are tailored to save employee’s time. This package includes corporate
cafeterias, amenities like dry cleaners, pharmacies, worker’s concierge
services and pharmacies.
Flexible work arrangement
Other
tips for managing stress include flexible work arrangements and
schedules. With these tips, there is ease in reaching work. Examples of
these mechanisms include telecommuting, flexible working hours,
part-time schedules and job sharing. These programs can help employees
in maintaining a work-life balance. (Halpern, 2005) Some employees are more productive at home than at work.
With flexible schedules offering such permission, there will be a less
stressful environment at work. This is another way of reducing stress at
work.
Providing the health and safety measures
Human
resource works with other departments like health and safety to
formulate and pass policies based on the solutions that the employees
have identified. (Israel, B. A, et al, 1996)
Although these standards are not compulsory, there are high chances
that they provide the best-proven approach to effective stress
management at work. These rules include strategies based on how you can
manage stress effectively.
Identification of primary causative agents
Stress
management in workplace calls for a joint report on the primary
causative agents. Usually, human resource focuses on finding out why an
employee is distressed. (Cooper, Dewe and O'Driscoll, 2001)
Just like in a hospital, it is vital for the human resource to decipher
this point before exploring the options for treatment. When the factor
is identified, depending on how related to work it is, treatment is
administered. These causative agents must offer insight on how to manage
stress effectively.
Management of standards
Human
resource management is ideally placed as the bridging gap between the
management and stressed employees. This department acts as the daily
project managers responsible for handling stress management in
workplace. Through their analysis of stressors, the department colludes
with the line managers to offer strategies on how to manage stress
effectively. This is done through organizing, planning, and outsourcing
relevant feedback to the management.
Review irrelevant policies
Organizations
can have irrelevant policies in relation to healthy and safety at work.
These policies might have a negative effect on employees. As a result,
the workers could be stressed. It is the duty of human resource to
review these policies and dictate the terms of implementing useful
policies towards stress management in workplace. Usually, the new
policies must be relevant to the initiation of strategies on how to
manage stress effectively.
Showing empathy
Cases of injuries at work have been known to induce work related stress compensation. After the injury, it can be difficult for an employee to claim compensation. The human resource department is in charge of initiating a meeting with personal injury lawyers. The aim of this meeting is to handle the work related stress compensation. With a specialist in charge of the proceedings, it is always easy to handle the magnitude of stress. If an employee has an accident at work, it is crucial for them to understand that they have the right to demand compensation through personal injury lawyers. These lawyers are in charge of ensuring that the insurance company in charge of compensation through the employer adequately compensates the injured employee. Even for the human resource department, handling work-related stress compensation becomes easy with the personal injury lawyers in place. (Nelson, Robert L. ,1988)References
Ho, J. (1997). Corporate wellness programmes in Singapore: effect on stress, satisfaction and absenteeism. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 12(3), pp.177-189.Halpern, D. (2005). How time-flexible work policies can reduce stress, improve health, and save money. Stress and Health, 21(3), pp.157-168.
Israel, B. A., Baker, E. A., Goldenhar, L. M., & Heaney, C. A. (1996). Occupational stress, safety, and health: Conceptual framework and principles for effective prevention interventions. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 1(3), pp.261-286.
Cooper, C., Dewe, P. and O'Driscoll, M. (2001). A review and critique of theory, research, and applications. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications, p.4.
Nelson, Robert L. (1988). Partners with Power: The Social Transformation of the Large Law Firm. University of California Press. pp. 174–175.