Workplace Stress

… Workplace Stress …

Where do you go to have fun? The beach? Your backyard? Anyone mention the office? Does anyone run out to dig extra ditches for the City, just because it’s so much fun? How come digging fence posts is not a chore at home, but can be a bust when a Supervisor or other workers are involved? How do these questions relate to bad backs or to getting an injured worker back to the job?

Peggy was recently invited to share ideas on how workplace culture impacts people at a conference on Wellness in the Workplace. The talk was given the title “stress management,” but was really about people, injury, productivity, and creativity. If people feel they must leave their personalities at home, that work is separate from who they really are, how can we hope to get them back to work? How can we create a smoothly running unit if people aren’t happy? “I’m not their mother!” is a frustrated response to this concept. However, a sense that our presence and effort is a valuable part of the workplace is a genuine need of all workers. Would you get actively involved in group projects, or work 100% full-out every day if people didn’t notice the work you did, listen to your suggestions, or pat you on the back occasionally? Can we expect injured workers to return if they don’t feel valued, or if they feel threatened? This is all part of ergonomics, or “Human Factors,” and is also the focus of our “Play in the Workplace” talks and workshops. If the term “Play” feels uncomfortable for your work place, title it “Stress Management.” And give us a call.