Managers: How Do You Manage Employee Anxiety?
What is anxiety?
Many may not fully understand what it means to be anxious or to be one who suffers from anxiety. Anxiety can be defined as a general feeling of worry or concern about a situation at hand or an uncertain outcome. Often, many are quick to brush off anxiety as mild symptoms of a ‘bad day’ and do not realize that it can be a serious illness or issue that one may be struggling with.
In the workplace, there are several factors that can play into an employee’s source of anxiety. There may also be employees who already struggle with anxiety, however, their symptoms are worsened due to circumstances within the workplace.
What Causes Anxiety In The Workplace?
Work Environments
Toxicity in the workplace is a common cause of anxiety amongst employees. Factors in the work environment such as unorganized spaces and negative atmospheres can trigger anxiety in an individual.
Workloads
It is important for employees to handle heavy workloads on a daily basis in order to reach quotas, however, this can cause a lot of stress. Employees are human, too, and being overworked negatively impacts their performance as well as their mental well-being.
Poor Management
Micromanagement is very common in the workplace as employers feel the need to give constant feedback on assignments. This can cause employees to feel overwhelmed and feel as though their work never meets company standards.
Need a few ideas for employees to relax in the workplace? Take a look at my article, Holistic Health At Work for more information!
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COVID-19 Pandemic
As many companies are requiring employees to return to the office, employees may experience various emotions. Employees may feel anxious about getting sick or getting back into a normal routine after working from home for a long period of time. This transition period is not exciting for anyone involved and it’s important to have patience with employees during this time.
Quarrels Between Co-Workers
Not everyone gets along at the workplace, and that is fine. What is not fine is if two employees are deliberately going out of their way to upset one another or are experiencing bullying. Keep an eye out and call out these situations as they occur.
Managing Employee Anxiety
As a manager, there is a lot of pressure to ensure that your employees feel their best. After all, work performance suffers significantly should employees not feel their best. There are a few ways that you can reduce anxiety among employees as a manager.
Showing Support
Employees need support from managers in order to thrive in the workplace. Offering support in different work situations and being understanding can go a long way. Each and everyone deserves to have a safe space to feel comfortable. Checking in with employees and their mental status is beneficial so that the right steps are taken to help them.
Employee Expectations
As a manager, it is your duty to outline your expectations for employees. However, it is not necessary to add on any additional factors that would further increase anxiety amongst employees. Think about how you would wish for a manager to approach you if you were the employee.
Creating a Welcoming Atmosphere
You are the manager, and because of this, it is possible that some employees may be afraid to speak up to you. Do you keep your door closed most of the time? Try leaving your door open, literally! Or mention to employees that your door is always open should they need to come in and speak with you. Also, don’t be afraid to share your own story or struggles with employees; it shows that you are human, too.
Maintaining a happy workplace is crucial for a company to be successful. Whether you are a new manager or a long-term manager looking to change up company policies, managing employee anxiety is not easy to deal with. I am confident that these tips are able to help gear you in the right direction with your loyal team!
Related:
5 Reasons Why College Students Should Take a Mental Health Day
3 Ways To Determine If An Employer Supports Mental Health At Work
Meet The Writer!
Hey everyone! My name is Sarai and I Iove all things that involve creativity :) I am a recent graduate from Saint Elizabeth University who received a B.A. in English and Communications and minored in writing studies. I have published a few articles and poems in local medias. I created a blog called Harness Your Pen that offers tips and tricks for writers to use and apply to their own writing fields. My ultimate goal is to inspire writers all around the world to pursue what they were born to do. If you wish to connect, you can find me at my blog Harness Your Pen, as well as my Linkedin.
