HEALTH AND WELLNESS
While the labor shortage may make flexible scheduling difficult , workers can appreciate when their leaders are cognizant of their workload and stress .
Finally , good leaders can help workers find a sense of progression and meaning in their work . Does your workplace offer the opportunity to learn new skills , earn certificates and / or progress upward in the business ? Workers who feel a sense of purpose in their work are less likely to feel overwhelmed when challenges arise .
2 . CONSISTENT WATER BREAKS Another crucial part of a good heat management policy is to have regular water breaks . Workers who labor in the sun should make it a habit to drink plenty of water before their shifts for the best results . But on the job , managers can help set expectations for water breaks .
Throughout the day , employees should hydrate themselves with water . As a best practice , workers should drink 1 cup every 15 to 20 minutes or about 1 quart every hour they ’ re outside . However , workers should be careful about drinking too much water because the amount of salt in the bloodstream can get too low .
Working in direct sunlight can cause dehydration rapidly if workers don ’ t hydrate enough . Dehydration and stress go hand in hand because dehydration can cause an increase in cortisone levels , which ties into the body ’ s stress levels .
3 . RETHINKING EMPLOYEE SCHEDULING Stress isn ’ t only about the environment , of course . In any demanding job , stress can be caused by a variety of factors including management styles , challenging tasks and tight timelines that put pressure on workers . While managers can ’ t eradicate all of these sources , they can rethink their team workflows and delegation to give workers a fair balance of work and sense of meaning in their careers .
One way to alleviate this problem is to rethink employee duties and ensure they aren ’ t overloaded . Employees who feel overworked can quickly become stressed out , leading to a decline in the quality of their work and productivity . Where possible , schedule with both worker and project needs in mind . Can longer shifts be offset with more flexible , relaxed days ? Can new technology simplify administrative tasks to take work off a manager ’ s plate ?
4 . TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH Studies suggest stress in the workplace is at an all-time high , with about 57 % of American and Canadian workers saying in a recent poll that they felt it daily . While this finding is alarming , leaders can make a difference by confronting these issues head-on and with empathy .
Conversations and policies are adjusting to the modern era because of an increased emphasis on mental health as part of an employee ’ s ability to engage with work . Stress at work can lead to a decline in mental health , affecting employees in their personal and professional lives . Managers should emphasize mental health and encourage open discussions in the workplace .
Supporting mental health can effectively build teams , but employees may need help talking about it . Managers should emphasize from the beginning their open line of communication , and should help their employees feel that they can discuss problems about work or their home life .
There are also specific tools that can help with awareness of mental health at work . In one survey of construction industry professionals , more than 60 % of respondents identified supervisor and employee training as the most helpful resources for their workers . Other ways to show commitment to health include “ Toolbox Talks ,” or group discussions on a particular safety issue .
Leaders can ’ t force workers to come forward with stress and mental health concerns , but company culture can show them that they are safe and supported should they choose to do so . Stay transparent and consistent with your emphasis on mental health resources , and leaders can open up critical lines of communication to support their teams . SFM
Evelyn Long is a writer and editor focused on home building and construction . She is the co-founder of Renovated , a web magazine for the home industry .
This article originally appeared on Landscape- Business . com , sister production to SportsField Management magazine . sportsfieldmanagementonline . com January 2023 | SportsField Management
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