It is not entirely uncommon for employees to feel pushed to their limits, and this can actually be viewed as one of the tenets of a successful organisation. However, statistics nonetheless point to a disturbing trend. It has now been shown that up to 47 per cent of all professionals regularly feel stressed and overwhelmed. Are there any ways in which stakeholders can strike a delicate balance between efficiency, and employee well-being? The answers might come as a bit of a surprise.
The Right Skills for the Task at Hand
Delegation is important within any workplace. There are still instances when employees will be forced to multitask, and this can come at a price if the right skill sets are not present. For instance, it makes little sense to ask a trained marketing professional to spend hours performing manual data entry tasks. This will quickly sap motivation, and ultimately lead to a drop in productivity. It is much better to consult recruitment headhunters that are capable of procuring the right candidates for specific tasks. Delegating responsibilities in such a manner will save time as well as energy.
Proactively Obtain Feedback
Diagnosing an illness is nearly impossible if the symptoms are not first recognised. This is another potential issue related to employee well-being within fast-paced workplaces. Managers need to be made aware of any problems that may exist. This often comes in the form of in-house surveys. These anonymous (and voluntary) documents can contain questions such as:
- How personally rewarding is your current position?
- Do you feel as if you are being placed under a significant amount of pressure?
- Would you like to have more time off?
- Do you believe that your salary matches the tasks that you are required to perform?
- Are there any areas that could be improved?
Workers who feel that their personal needs are being addressed will be much more likely to perform at a higher level.
Consider Hybrid Working Models
One of the latest trends involves employees who spend at least a portion of their time outside the traditional office environment. Indeed, the more than 28 per cent of all professionals now work remotely (at least on a part-time basis). This approach is often able to provide a more satisfactory work-life balance. However, it is important to remember that making such a transition can be difficult on staff members; particularly if an initial "road map" is not put into place. There is still no doubt that hybrid environments represent a growing movement throughout many industries.
Frenetic work environments will always be associated with a number of practical challenges. Employee well-being should still never be compromised for efficiency alone. After all, professionals who are content with their current situations are much more likely to remain loyal over time. This is an essential benefit within such a competitive business ecosystem.
