Managers Under Pressure

It was reported recently in the press that many managers are foregoing their summer holidays this year as they feel they have to work harder to keep their businesses running profitably in this uncertain economic climate. But what does this mean for employee wellbeing?

When there is an inbalance between the pressures we experience and the resources we have in place to deal with them, we are likely to experience symptoms of stress. In the short-term this may simply manifest itself in low-level health issues, a slight reduction in efficiency, changes in mood etc. In the longer-term this can lead to burnout or more serious illness.

Like electrical gadgets - the more we use our energy, the more we need to have our batteries charged to keep working well.

Each of us will have different levels of tolerance to pressure. This will depend on our physical capability but also on our emotional resilience. Maintaining wellbeing is about understanding our levels of resilience, becoming aware of the things that are likely to drain our energy and learning ways to keep our batteries topped up.

Are you or your employees in danger of suffering the negative effects of overwork and stress?
All employers have a responsibility for the health and wellbeing of their staff and this includes their mental health. A good start is to encourage everyone to take a holiday - it is an investment not a cost. Another way is to educate people on the best ways for them to manage their pressure and for managers to know what to look out for in their staff, which might suggest someone is suffering as a result of too much pressure.