Should an employer do anything to help overly stressed employees?

Author: Julie H. Cox

Yes. HR should reduce employee stress because lower workplace stress yields more productivity and job retention, prevents violence and reduces workers' compensation claims.

An employer should:

• Have an employee assistance program (EAP) available;
• Allow an overly stressed employee to take time off to recover;
• Change an employee's schedule or duties to relieve some of the stress; and
• Create policies that do not make employees feel as if they need to work unreasonable hours to be successful.