With almost 50% of workers complaining that their jobs are very stressful, it is no surprise that more than two-thirds of all medical problems are stress related.
Each day, workplace stress is credited with more than a million absences and at least 40% of all personnel turnover. Studies show stress is a primary cause of accidents, quality control problems, medical claims, and lost productivity.
Some people debate the exact percentage of stress related costs in each catagory, but few can object to the raw data or the results you see as you take action to control stress and improve productivity throughout your company.
Here are some practical ways to benchmark current stress levels and monitor future conditions.
1. Absenteeism - Require strict reporting of absences for any reason. It isn't unusual for people to shade the truth to get a day off. Some research indicates that 54% of illnesses phoned in are actually for reasons other than medical. Compare your numbers with the same period last year. Chart how absences coincide with business cycles.
2. Presenteeism - Keep track of those who show up sick and risk spreading their illness. Maybe they've used up their "sick days" because of stress and can't afford to stay home when they really should. If people miss work when they are well or if they feel too stressed to miss work when they are sick, stress control strategies are essential.
3. Tardiness - Develop daily reports and weekly summaries. Are some departments worse than others? Are people arriving late because they dread workplace stress?
4. Medical claims - Seek generic information from your health insurance company on the number and expense of medical claims. Categorize information by type of ailment and observe how the frequency of visits compares to major corporate activities or stressful times of year. You might find that stressful periods coincide with or precede increased medical claims.
5. Complaints and grievances - Keep records by department. Those with a greater numbers of complaints are probably ready for some stress- control strategies. Each grievance can cost you untold hours or more productivity.
6. Accident reports - Analyze reports from the perspective of stress involvement. Research how stress might have been the root cause of accidents. It has been said stress related accidents cost nearly twice as much as other mishaps.
7. Errors in judgment or misstatements - Develop a log of individual errors in judgment and misstatements - clear stress indicators. If employees are prone to making misstatements, they are prone to errors in judgment. Monitor decision-making ability and evaluate the cost of these mistakes.
8. Personal relationships - Note changes in the way people relate to each other and the actions that cause some people to become more argumentative. You can use this information to control stress for the entire organization or for individuals who are more sensitive to stressful situations.
9. Customer service problems - Review problems from a stress perspective. Reducing stress can lower the number of errors in order taking, preparation, shipping, and invoicing and improve customer relations.
10. Quality problems - Include a description of stress-related activities occurring before and during the period of concern in your quality reports. Watch for trends among certain employees or departments. Look for causes of stress and what can be done to control the stress reactions.
Corporate leaders and managers sometimes erronously manage stressed people by using increased demands and closer supervision. Instead, you should use stress-reducing techniques to manage the stressors. Benchmarking will help you prioritize and allocate assets to stress control.
Good managers understand the importance of positive stress in maximizing accuracy and productivity. And they know how to control the negative stress for the benefit of those involved and the bottom line.
Outside consultants and trainers can help you evaluate current stress levels and train everyone involved. Remember, stress control is a leadership responsibility.
Get my article about the top ten workplace stressors by sending blank email to auto-responder 10stressors@couragebuilders.com
Dale Collie - professional speaker, former US Army Ranger, CEO, and a Fast Company top 50 innovative leader. Author of "Winning Under Fire." (McGraw-Hill) 10stressors@couragebuilders.com
Lincoln Stretch rentals Alsip ..How much attention is paid to one of the biggest... Read More
When I pay attention, I clearly see the arresting ways... Read More
Living in our world today can be very stressful. While... Read More
Q: We recently had someone come to our company to... Read More
Stress is amazingly persistent, even seductive. We get used to... Read More
Looking for some quick stress relief?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker,... Read More
Q. I wonder if you could help me with a... Read More
Most people find it easy to identify the sources of... Read More
If there was a way of relaxing quickly and easily... Read More
CHICAGO - According to a recent article in the September... Read More
The pace of life seems to quicken every year. More... Read More
1. Take a relaxing bath. Add music, candles and a... Read More
What is the greatest fear of man? Is it death?... Read More
If you live in the early part of the twenty-first... Read More
Work stress has become a major problem today. The nature... Read More
After a stressful day as a computer programmer, Jim pulled... Read More
A stressless lifestyle? That's very easy to say. Yet it... Read More
Health Impacts of StressStress is a funny concept, try to... Read More
WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYSExperts in the stress management field have... Read More
This summer, get away, without going away. Take a mini... Read More
Stress management is a hot topic; stress-related illness and suffering... Read More
When it is all said and done, do you feel... Read More
All people experience stress and anxiety in one form or... Read More
"I've got too much to do, I've just got too... Read More
Q. Help! I moved from the Dallas to Denver. I... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..Looking for some quick stress relief?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker,... Read More
I had the unpleasant experience of being pulled over the... Read More
Have you ever said the words, "This job/my life is... Read More
Part 1: Recognize the importance of family stress managementJoe and... Read More
The right amount of stress can be good for you,... Read More
1. The Law of GiftsRichard Bach, author of "Illusions" says... Read More
Have you ever considered sewing a handbag as an act... Read More
Most people know of the importance of exercise as a... Read More
My grandmother, a feisty and athletic woman in her younger... Read More
The Rule of BalanceThere is more to life than work.... Read More
Why is it that some people become totally stressed when... Read More
"Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into... Read More
Lake Hopatcong, NJ (PRWEB) November 30, 2004 -- Here are... Read More
Whether we are at work, traveling, or at home, we've... Read More
Perhaps you've heard of the 80/20 rule, but don't know... Read More
Everywhere I go, I hear the same unpleasant sentence repeated... Read More
I was a psychotherapist for... Read More
Syndicated columnist Dale Dauten recently wrote, "One of life's great... Read More
An excellent stress reducer can be something as simple as... Read More
Modern stress is habitual, and is something that the vast... Read More
* Play Romane's stress control seminar recordings, and read "The... Read More
Recently the well known American news anchor Peter Jennings died... Read More
Get at least 15 minutes of sunshine daily.Daily Exercise -... Read More
Everybody deals with fear and anxiety, however some people have... Read More
Is your stress level higher than it should be? Are... Read More
Stress Management |