25 Mar 2020

How to support employees in times of high pressure

Pressure is a normal aspect of everyday work life and it is important for organisations to understand how it may affect employees to prevent the potential negative outcomes. Some may crumble easily under pressure, while others enjoy working under such circumstances. And while some employees perform better under stress, continuous pressure over long periods of time can still lead to burnout and potential mental health problems.

Therefore, it is essential to take the necessary steps to deal with pressure appropriately and control the associated emotional reactions to maintain a healthy and productive workforce. The main goal is to help all employees perform well while under pressure and ensure they feel supported, which can be achieved in a number of ways.

Lead by example

Leading by example does not only apply in terms of performance, it also means consistently displaying high levels of resilience and a positive outlook. When managers buckle under pressure, so do their teams.

Times of high stress in the workplace are crucial moments to remain calm, collected and open to impact positively on your team’s performance. Leaders’ moods and attitudes transpire through their whole team, therefore the way they respond to pressure greatly affects their counterparts, and in turn team performance and success.

Communicate and support your workforce

Open communication creates a healthy work environment and a more engaged, resilient and productive team. This can be accomplished through frequent informal check-ins, as well as more formal performance reviews to pick up on those who need more support. Giving employees the opportunity to talk about any concerns or problems helps tackle issues before they spiral out of control.

Being accessible helps making your workforce feel supported and bounce back in difficult times. In fact, relieving pressure and negative emotions can be as simple as having someone to turn to, so you can keep a stable workforce simply by listening. Inspire, guide, give hope and develop a sense of shared responsibility to assist those who are under too much pressure.

Recognise changes

Monitoring changes in behaviour and attitudes can help spot and manage employees who may be struggling under pressure. Sudden changes in moods, productivity and absence levels may be early warning signs that someone is under too much stress. This can easily be dealt with when recognised early, so making a habit of constantly monitoring behavioural fluctuations is key to successfully manage pressure in the workplace and related emotions.

Implement workplace health strategies

Prevention is always better than cure – and having workplace health strategies in place can significantly reduce the chances of long-term problems associated with pressure and stress. No matter what level of stress your employees are under, everyone can benefit from wellbeing incentives. This can be achieved in the form of relaxation rooms at work, employee yoga and meditation sessions, mental health talks; and health checks encompassing mental, physical and medical tests. These can all help empower workers to effectively manage their emotions in times of pressure and minimize any potential negative outcomes.

Continue reading for three more effective ways to support employees in times of high pressure.

This article is provided by Bluecrest Wellness.