Recent studies have shown that work stress is a major cause of absenteeism in companies. Stress causing extensive damage on the budget at year end: just go to watch the "disease" and "replacement of sick leave" to get an idea. We can describe this type of stress as a psycho-physical state characterized by constant anxiety and malaise, which occurs when environmental demands exceed the capacity of the individual to cope with and affect job performance, as well as interpersonal relationships. Not surprisingly, therefore, as it constitutes reason for requesting leave and frequent periods of illness, and becomes a problem that involves several levels: employees, employers, the company. Stress, in fact, when it turns into days of absence, leads to higher costs, reduces productivity and makes us less competitive.
If Inail in Europe according to the Agency for Safety and occupational health, the victims of this type of stress and are about 40 million working days lost each year reach 50-60% (with the cost to society estimated at around EUR 20 billion), according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety, also in Italy we are not less. According to the Ispesl, in fact, 43% of Italian workers suffer from physical and psychological impact of their work, since not only far exceeds the EU average (22%), but countries like Britain (27 %), Germany (25%) and France (24%) or other European nations in which work stress is above average.
Without taking anything away from the current socio-historical moment, which certainly contributes to make more dramatic the situation for many workers who find themselves in very precarious conditions, we note that, even among those who have a job, there are specific causes that contribute to the onset of stress in the workplace.
According to the European Commission, Directorate General of Employment and Social Affairs, the most common factors that determine the work-related stress are:
- The amount of work to do too much or not enough
- Not enough time to complete the work satisfactorily for others and for themselves
- Lack of a clear description of the work or a chain of command
- Reward insufficient, proportionate to the provision
- Inability to express complaints
- responsibilities, but by authorities or decision-making capacity
- Lack of cooperation and support from superiors, colleagues or subordinates
- Inability to effectively convey personal talents or abilities
- Lack of control or of pride in the finished product of their work
- job insecurity, uncertainty of the position occupied
- Working conditions unpleasant or dangerous work
- Possibility of a small error or inattention can have serious consequences
Reviewing the various entries, we note that they are all due to poor organization, which is reflected in a lack of certainty in our employees, who often find themselves in a row without knowing which direction they are going and the ship on which they are never able to reach the shore. Tasks that are not defined, unclear goals, poor communication, lack of stimulation, feelings of being left to themselves, failure to achieve personal and professional situations that are all in the long term wear and bewilder even the best employees.
Taking a cue from these data we see how, with small daily actions, we could really do to prevent the problem of stress. Clearly define the roles and results to be achieved, enhancing the personal goals and share our corporate values, employees involved in the strategic choices, helping them adapt to changing conditions, provide adequate training for the role, use proper management of time, to gratify the results, not only with prizes and rewards, but also with a simple but never boring thanks are all tricks that are often taken for granted, but for an employee are not at all. Even a good can get miraculous effects, and is definitely one of the most effective (and cheap) to increase self-esteem and reduce stress.
All these positive attitudes will produce a spiral, made of highly motivated, full of sparkling energy that puts the man in the best physical and mental condition to deal with grit, determination and positivity any situation. Accordingly declined drastically days of absence which affect the year end, will improve the business climate, will increase the motivation of our employees and our business will have a relentless driving force.
How much more wealth in your company produces every year, if you take a greater well-being of your employees? Think about it: prevention is better than stress!
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