Tension within the workplace leads to the loss of billions in annual business profits, for most businesses. Stress among employees and the employer, reduces long-term business productivity, leading to severe economic loss. As a result of workplace tension, workers fail to show up for work, which further increases indirect costs for business owners who have to pay for the workers’ compensation.
Therefore, trying different ways of easing workplace tension can turn things around for affected businesses. While it’s not easy, there are ways various ways you can try to address the tension within workers. It’s important to understand this condition before creating avenues of easing it.
Keep reading to learn ways of addressing this workplace issue:
1. Develop regulations and enforcement guidelines
According to researchers, inflexible rules and vague policies, are often the main cause of workplace tension. Some people believe that the initial tension triggers are directly linked to workplace conditions. On the other hand, stress experts argue that, when a worker finds it difficult to handle a challenging situation, he/she is likely to develop tension.
So how does establishing clear rules help cut down tension within the workplace? Coming up with clear rules and formal regulations indeed creates clear directions and standards to follow. Consequently, this will help control and eventually kill workplace stress.
When the rules are consistent and enforced fairly for all workers, tension decreases among all staff, including those who find it hard to control stressful circumstances.
2. Holding regular meetings
Holding regular meetings helps inform workers about the state of company projects. It’s an opportunity for employers to dispel any rumors or issues regarding some of the ongoing projects. Some economic factors often drive the fear of workers getting laid off, increasing workplace tension.
Meetings provide clear updates on the business’s economic conditions, allowing workers to plan ahead of time in case of department or branch closures. Besides, such open forums allow workers to freely articulate their concerns and raise any queries regarding working conditions. It’s important to involve the management in the meetings to ensure your issues are addressed and they support the workers’ presentations.
3. Handling complaints
Firms with a clear and formal procedure for workers to file their complaints and queries have fewer tension issues compared to those with none. Formalizing the resolution process provides a general deadline and erases any doubts over favoritism. Companies can as well liaise with workers’ independent organizations to find ways of dealing with complaints.
4. Enforce open communication avenues
When workers don’t have avenues to raise their concerns, workplace tension is likely to increase. It’s, therefore, necessary to create face-to-face and written avenues to intensify the communication between workers and management.
Conclusion
Workers undergo lots of stress within the workplace. It could be as a result of working conditions, vague rules, lack of open communication avenues, and more. If you want your business to avoid the risk of losing revenue, then you should consider implementing the aforementioned tips.
