While the recession has increased workplace stress for many employees, there are some things employers can do to reduce this stress and promote a healthy workplace.

Five years into a recession that seems to have no light at the end of the tunnel, employees have reported that they are facing a significant increase in their workplace stress levels, according to a recent nationwide survey overseen by Right Management. The link between the economic downturn and higher levels of workplace stress is not extremely surprising considering that the recession has tended to cause employers to:

• Layoff some (if not a significant portion) of their employees in an effort to streamline operations
• Increase the workloads of remaining staff to ensure that the needs of the business are still maintained on a day-to-day basis
• Focus on results and profits, which creates a general tension that can permeate a workplace environment

When it comes to workplace stress that has been compounded by the recession, more employees of larger businesses have reported significant stress increases than those at smaller businesses (according to research conducted by Regus).

The reason that understanding workplace stress is so significant for employers (and employees, for that matter) is that stress:

• Among the most common reasons that employees visit their physicians for mental health-related issues
• Can dramatically decrease workers’ productivity, especially in the event that stress levels demoralize a workforce

Although employers may not be in a position to hire additional workers to try to decrease workloads and, as a result, the stress their employees are burdened with, there are some other ways in which employers can try to alleviate workers’ stress levels, which, in turn, may promote productivity. For example, some researchers have found that offering flexible work schedules – particularly for employees with children – has been an effective way of reducing workplace stress. Additionally, being clear about priorities and realistic about deadlines is another effective way to help workers manage their workloads and their stress levels.

If your workplace stress has caused to sustained a workplace injury and you are considering (or in the process of) filing a workers compensation claim, it’s essential that you contact the Colorado workers compensation lawyers at the Law Office of Michael P. Dominick. Our legal professionals have a proven track record of success when it comes to securing our Clients the maximum possible compensation for their injuries and financial losses. For a thorough evaluation of your case, along with expert advice on the best manner in which to move forward, call us at (303) 447-2644.