How Anxiety Hurts Workplace Productivity
Anxiety is a common yet often overlooked problem.
Millions of Americans deal with the symptoms of anxiety daily, yet only 9 percent have an actual anxiety disorder diagnosis.
According to a recent survey by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 72 percent of those surveyed reported daily stress that interferes with their everyday life. One-third reported having an anxiety or panic attack at least once in their lifetime.
Anxiety takes a toll on every aspect of an affected person’s life, including work. Fifty-six percent of surveyed employees say that anxiety affects their job performance, and half report a negative impact on relationships with coworkers and peers.
Stress in the workplace can take a toll on the entire business operation. Here are some of the worst effects:
Missed deadlines
Anxiety in the workplace affects some 40 million Americans, and research from the ADAA found it can decrease work performance. One of the worst results is missing deadlines. Fifty-five percent of employees surveyed said they experienced anxiety about deadlines, which may even contribute to missing them altogether.
Another recent study in the Journal of Applied Psychology notes that one of the biggest drivers of work performance is interpersonal relationships. Unfortunately, those experiencing anxiety are more likely to avoid their coworkers, hoping to avoid interpersonal conflicts. Since work is a collaborative environment, it’s easy to see how workplace anxiety may affect the performance of an entire operation. This means that workplace anxiety is more than just a matter of employee health – it has a direct effect on a company’s bottom line.
Higher employee turnover
People who experience anxiety at work are less likely to experience job satisfaction. When employees don’t feel fulfilled or satisfied with their work, they are more likely to seek employment elsewhere. Hiring and training employees can cost thousands of dollars, not to mention the time commitment involved. Chronic stress in your workplace may lead to high employee turnover and wasted money on recruitment efforts.
Damage to company image
When companies experience a high rate of employee turnover, prospective employees can’t help but wonder if the company itself is somehow to blame. Workers today are interested in an engaging and collaborative company culture. If a stressful workplace is leading to short terms of employment, the top talent may seek employment elsewhere.
What can company leaders do?
Nearly one-fifth of America’s workforce lives with anxiety. Unfortunately, there is a stigma surrounding mental health, and employees often feel afraid to speak up. In fact, only a quarter of those suffering from anxiety have shared that fact with their employer. The other three-quarters didn’t because they thought it would affect their chances of promotion or that it would be entered into their work file with a negative connotation.
It can be difficult to tell if your employees struggle with anxiety at work since most don’t speak about it. However, there are things you can do to make your workplace less stressful for all:
- Keep your lines of communication open. Employees should feel comfortable talking to a supervisor when they feel overextended.
- Offer time management classes. Create a “lunch and learn” environment to talk about managing work tasks effectively.
- Set boundaries. Don’t expect your employee to answer their email after hours. Ensure they have a separate personal and family life.
- Encourage them to take advantage of employee benefits. This includes psychotherapy and exercise programs, as these have been linked to a decrease in anxiety.
Most of the research on anxiety in the workplace says the same thing: When depression and anxiety are effectively treated, companies can reduce their number of job-related accidents, rate of employee turnover and sick days, and can improve employee productivity. Providing effective intervention to your employees can help improve your company image and your bottom line.
A recent two-phase study of 16 companies found that telephone and in-person psychotherapy, for those who choose it, can increase job satisfaction and employee retention. Workers in the intervention group (receiving therapy) improved their productivity by 2.6 hours each week and were more likely to stay in their jobs, compared to the control group. This suggests that company expenses for mental health are an investment that will pay off, both in producing healthier employees and in better financial outcomes.
A progressive approach to mental health can help businesses attract and retain top talent. Today’s workers want more than just sick days and paid time off – they want to know that their employers care about them, both personally and professionally. Creating an emotionally and mentally healthy workplace will keep your current workers engaged in their jobs, as well as make your company a coveted place to work.
Source: bizjournals
Patty Block, President and Founder of The Block Group, established her company to advocate for women-owned businesses, helping them position their companies for strategic growth. From improving cash flow…. to increasing staff productivity…. to scaling for growth, these periods of transition — and so many more — provide both challenges and opportunities. Managed effectively, change can become a productive force for growth. The Block Group harnesses that potential, turning roadblocks into building blocks for women-owned businesses.
Business Consulting for Women Owned Business in Houston Texas
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