Workplace Stress
Workplace stress is the result of a number of complex inter-entwined factors associated with the employee and the pressures they feel as part of everyday working life in the 21st century. These pressures include overworking, lack of control or autonomy, level of responsibility, conflicts, job insecurities, bullying or harassment, pressure to meet targets and the difficulties in striking a healthy work / life balance. Economic, family and social pressures outside of work can tip the balance. In the UK we seem be more prone to workplace stress than our European neighbors, due possible to the habit of longer working hours and shorter holidays.
Effects of Workplace Stress
Stress can manifest itself into physical and emotional problems which impact the employees ability to perform and can have a costly effect to industry through short term absenteeism to long term illness. In general, stress will impair the employees performance and productivity, creating a negative impact upon other staff and customers. The chronic effect of stress can be far more serious resulting in long term mental health problems.
There are also physical side effects of stress which manifest themselves over the long term. Stress is often held within the body's muscles causing back, neck and shoulder pain, headaches, eye strain and general ill health. When these effects go untreated they tend to become chronic problems which can severely impact ones ability to work effectively.
Cost of Workplace Stress
Government agencies often try to put figures on the costs stress related illnesses and absenteeism in terms of their impact on industry. These figures, usually running in to the £billions, can be quite misleading as it is such a complex area to quantify with any degree of accuracy. The cost of stress can however be seen and felt in almost every workplace in the form of unmotivated staff, petty politics. All too often, stress in the workplace is carried into other activities outside of work which are damaging to the self and society creating problems within the family and sometimes leading to drug & alcohol abuse.
How Can Workplace Therapies From Take 15 Help?
Take 15 can help you to protect your investment in your employees by providing a range of office based therapy solutions. Used on a regular basis as part of an all encompassing employee wellbeing programme, office therapies can provide a feedback and support mechanism for employees. The immediate effect of therapeutic treatments is a reduction in stress and a sense of wellbeing. A long term programme will help to identify and treat both the physical and mental symptoms of stress. Therapies in the office help to create a culture of care and happiness within the organisation and inducing the conditions for increased employee happiness, increased customer happiness, increased margins, and increased potential for employers to achieve their goals.