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.
