Advantages of Stress Reduction Programs
While stress cannot be eliminated from life, or even from the workplace, coping skills could be developed with relative ease. Stress management skills lead to lowered absenteeism and more effective, more productive personnel.
Because stress has been proven to contribute to such physical conditions as ulcers, high blood pressure (BP) and stroke, stress reduction has a direct impact on improving physical health.
Studies have shown that heart patients who attend stress management programs have 42 percent lower healthcare costs. Other studies have documented a 50 percent reduction in medical services use when stress management programs are employed.
Further, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) professionals estimate that 20 percent of any workforce is affected by personal problems that can influence work performance.
Stress reduction tactics to consider –
• Offer on-site yoga or meditation classes.
• Organize support groups among staff.
• Sponsor stress management courses during the workday.
• Offer an employee assistance program that includes both counseling and referral.
• Offer onsite counseling for personnel in the case of a work-related trauma, such as the death of a coworker.
August 4th, 2010 at 2:13 am
A good stress management program should be part of every workplace, particularly with all the layoffs and budget cuts these days.