Do you see lower productivity in your employees? Do you see chronic absenteeism? Is the general moral of your employees not as high as you would have expected?
If you are an employer or if you manage people, you may think that their habit of constantly working under stress means that you are getting the most out of them. You may also think that you are getting your moneys worth out of them as well. However, you may need to reassess the stress in your work place.
1) Not seeing the full picture- As a manager or a business owner we sometimes fail to see things empathetically or through the eyes of our employees. We see the business mission, the customers satisfaction and of course our financial bottom line. We fail to see the business from the employees perspective. Their stress is not the same as the owners stress. Their stress is individual were the owners should be all encompassing. The individuals stress is important because it can create office unrest and very low moral. The employees are not happy to come to work and be a part of the productivity of the company. Their “what is in it for me” has not been addressed. Their stress must be addressed and effectively reduced; there are numerous resolutions that are cost effective that will increase productivity and employee moral. Please remember that the employee is your word of mouth advertising at its cost effective best. Use this avenue wisely.
2) This accounts for decreased profits- As a manage to owner while profits and cash flow are extremely important, the stress of the employees can and will cause long and short term problems if left unchecked. Chronic absenteeism, sick days that cost the company health insurance plan extra money, unhappy overworked staff that must cover for absent employees account for lost revenues in all quadrants of the business. The basic culprit is stress. Stress can be reduced and controlled; you just have to be aware that you can do this.
3) A possible loss of market share and competitive advantage- Every company in the world has a problem with stress at all levels of their business matrix. Consider this, the company or business that addresses stress and is willing to reduce it throughout the matrix will have the competitive edge thus the competitive advantage. Great quality people will want to work and produce in a business like this. In addition, the marketing to customers that understand the emotional friendly work force that will assist them in their purchases will increase an aware businesses market share. Customer service will be service to the customer, the customer will feel the reduction in stress and the business will enjoy extremely high positive cash flow.