SmallBizResource Blog -- Productivity

What Employees Really Want From Santa

Posted by Judy Mottl Monday, Nov 26, 2007, 09:12 AM ET

Nope, it’s not necessarily a raise (well, yes, of course everyone wants a raise each year), that employees want for the holidays. They want less stress. And as one expert notes it’s a pretty easy gift to give.

Yet given the inevitable stress that comes with the holidays, is it a gift that can truly be delivered?

Stress management expert Alyssa Abbey says yes.

"Too many companies put one or two measures in place and think they’ve done enough. But different people get stressed about different things, so the best approach is to ensure that all the bases are covered," explains Abbey, who mapped out the following seven tips to reduce stress in the workplace:

1. Make sure there is adequate training for every employee in every role. Too often training is promised but never followed through.

2. Review work demands regularly because roles have a tendency to expand. This is so simple but seldom done.

3. Make sure employees understand work priorities. Make sure your employees know what the critical success factors are for their roles.

4. Make sure roles are crystal clear. A lot of stress comes from conflicting aspects of a role, or working on projects for more than one manager and being torn between conflicting priorities.

5. Provide adequate resources to do the job. Inadequate equipment, manpower or authority to do a job properly can be extremely stressful.

6. Provide a comfortable and appropriate work environment. Making the office bright and cheerful doesn’t have to cost the earth. Neither does water coolers or decent tea cups, live plants, or even bowls of fruit.

7. Communicate openly about organizational change. Nothing’s so stressful for some people than uncertainty and the feeling the future of the organization is a big secret.

As Abbey explains, employees who have friends in the company, get along with and respect their boss, and feel supported by management are much less likely to suffer stress-related illness.

”These are all preventative measures, but don’t forget that you also need a safety net that should include a confidential counseling help line, occupational health support and referrals, and having managers well versed in their legal responsibilities in cases of stress-related illness,” adds Abbey, who runs corporate and individual workshops on how to live with less stress and increased vitality. She is currently penning her second book, "Stop Making Excuses and Start Living with Vitality," out early next spring. Her first tome is available at Amazon.

Productivity