Causes and effects of workplace stress and how to reduce and prevent them. Both employees and employers will benefits from a workplace stress reduction and prevention plan. It is better to be proactive than reactive. Research has shown that companies who provide ways for employees to reduce their workplace stress find them to be more productive, happier, and loyal to the business. Regards, ~ Holley Jacobs

1. Initiatives to
Reduce Workplace
Stress
WAYS TO REDUCE AND PREVENT WORKPLACE STRESS AND THE BENEFITS
TO BUSINESS PROFITS

2. Introduction
 Workplace stress is costly
to both employee and
employer
 Internal research is
necessary to devise a
workplace stress plan
 Execution and follow-up
are essential for success

3. 46% of employers
offer goods and
services to stores
35% of employers
offer entertainment
tickets
46% of employers
offer restaurant gift
cards
Potluck Lunches with Prizes

4. Tool Allowances
 Financial difficulties put stress
on personal issues.
 This can cause marital distress
as well.
 Other personal issues can arise
including missing work and
decreased productivity.

5. Tool Allowances
 Mutual rewards of increased
motivation, productivity, and
morale.
 Can decrease in company
costs.
 Can decrease in absenteeism
 Can decrease turnover rate

6. Paid Time
Off
 Employers should actively
encourage Paid Time Off
(PTO) as an essential
requirement of the job.
 PTO makes it easier to adjust
workloads.
 PTO causes a decrease in
health care, workers
compensation, and turnover
costs by as much as 1/3.

7. Company Paid
Training Programs
 Employees are healthier, more
creative, and more productive.
 Train managers in workplace stress
and the effects and solutions.
 Invest in OSHA training regularly.

8. Membership to
Fitness Clubs
 ¾ of workers admit to unhealthy snacking once
a week while 27% of workers admit to this more
than 3 times per week.
 The prevalence of obesity climbed 13% to 32%
between 1960 and 2004 according to John
Hopkins.
 Obesity is linked to increased percentage of
medical claims and absences.

9. Reward System/
Bonus Money
 Safety incentive programs work well in a
company.
 Bonus money is good for an employee’s
work/life balance.
 There is a decrease in absences which
cause an increase in productivity.

10. Job Rotation
 Decreases burnouts in the
workplace.
 Increases employee satisfaction.
 Increases employee motivation.

11. Work Teams
 Powerful organizational concept.
 Requires high level of social
structure.
 Conflict is natural and necessary.

12. Organizational Change
 Ensure the workload is in line with workers’ capabilities.
 Design jobs to provide meaning, stimulation, and opportunities for
workers.
 Clearly define employees roles and responsibilities.
 Give workers opportunities to participate in decisions affecting their
jobs.
 Improve communications to reduce job uncertainty.
 Provide opportunities for social interaction among employees.
 Establish work schedules that are compatible with the demands of
the job.
Ways to Prevent Workplace Stress

13. References
Gurchiek, K. (2007, November 21). Employers Urged To Help Turn Around Obesity Trend. Retrieved from Society for Human Resource
Management Web site: http://www.shrm.org/Publications/HRNews/Pages/CMS_023725.aspx
Lee, Q. (2012, November 11). Teams in workplace can provide the edge between also-ran, champs. Retrieved from Kansas City
Business Journal: http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2001/11/12/smallb2.html?page=all
Leonard, B. (2013, July 30). Employee Vacations Are Good For Business. Retrieved from Society for Human Resource Management
Web site: http://www.shrm.org/hrdisciplines/employeerelations/articles/Pages/Urging-Employee-Vacations.aspx
Plowman, N. (2010, June 12). Advantages of Job Rotation: Reduce Turnover by Influencing Employee Burnout, Satisfaction, and
Motivation. Retrieved from Brighthub Web site: http://www.brighthub.com/office/entrepreneurs/articles/55274.aspx
Safety in the Workplace. (n.d.). 2nd. Retrieved from Reference for Business - Encyclopedia for Business:
http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/management/Pr-Sa/Safety-in-the-Workplace.html
Staff, S. O. (2012, February 17). SHRM Poll: Employees Value Discount Programs. Retrieved from Society for Human Resource
Management Web site: http://www.shrm.org/hrdisciplines/benefits/Articles/Pages/DiscountPrograms.aspx
STRESS...At Work. (n.d.). Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/99-101/
Top 10 reasons why your company needs an Employee Incentive Program. (n.d.). Retrieved from Incentive Quotes Web site:
http://www.incentivequotes.com/top10-reasons-why-you-employee-incentive-program.html
Tyler, K. (2006, September 1). HR Magazine: Stress Management. Retrieved from Society for Human Resource Management Web site:
http://www.shrm.org/Publications/hrmagazine/EditorialContent/Pages/0906tyler.aspx