Eastern Ontario Health Unit - Managing Workplace Stress
Louise Simmons
Coordinator, Workplace Health Program - EOHU
While some workplace stress is normal and even necessary (it keeps people energized and motivated to handle challenges), too much stress is harmful to physical and mental health. Chronic stress has been linked to heart disease, increased risk of infections, joint and muscle pain, depression, and problems learning and remembering.
Cornwall - Jul. 29, 2011 - With an uncertain economy, and more people facing longer commutes and heavier workloads, it’s not uncommon for employees to experience stress in the workplace. In fact, national surveys indicate that around one-third of employed Canadians report high stress levels.
While some stress is normal and even necessary (it keeps people energized and motivated to handle challenges), too much stress is harmful to physical and mental health. Chronic stress has been linked to heart disease, increased risk of infections, joint and muscle pain, depression, and problems learning and remembering. In the workplace, employees with high stress levels may be absent more often, have poorer job performance and may be more prone to workplace injuries.
Some sources of stress may not be within a worker’s control (such as job insecurity or long commutes), but there are some simple things employees can do to better cope with stress both at work and at home.
Get regular physical activity (use breaks or lunch time if you don’t have time after work). Exercise is an excellent stress-buster, and boosts physical health as well.
Make sure to eat well (using Canada’s Food Guide), and don’t skip meals.
Get enough sleep.
Employers who provide their staff with tools to manage stress in the workplace can also benefit. Putting healthy workplace policies into place can increase productivity, reduce absenteeism, improve employee morale and save the employer direct and indirect costs related to poor employee health and well-being.
Workplace measures can be as simple and inexpensive as installing bike racks, allowing staff to combine breaks for physical activity, and providing healthy food choices in the cafeteria. Creating a Workplace Wellness Committee for employees, and having an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can also help staff manage stress and other issues both within and outside the workplace.
The Eastern Ontario Health Unit provides tips and tools for managing stress, making workplaces healthier, creating a Workplace Wellness Committee, and more. For more information, call 613-933-1375 or 1 800 267-7120, and ask for Health Line. You can also visit www.eohu.ca, and click on “Workplaces”.
Source:
Institute of Health Economics: Effectiveness of Organizational Interventions for the Prevention of Workplace Stress. 2009.
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