How to Help a Co-Worker Manage Stress

 

We spend most of our waking time in the workplace and many of us develop close bonds and friendships with our co-workers. When things get tough, we’re often the first people to notice changes in their mood and habits. A once cheerful and chatty person may become snappy or dismissive if they’re experiencing stress. 

 

Workplace related stress can affect an individual’s behaviour, performance, and relationships with their co-workers. It’s one of the most common reasons for long term absence and can affect both their physical and mental health. 

 

Here we offer advice on identifying stress in others and explore suggestions for the type of support you could offer an employee or co-worker in times of stress. 

How Do I Know if My Co-Worker is Stressed?

Stress occurs when the demands exceed what someone can cope with, and this changes from person to person. A certain amount of pressure is to be expected in everyday life, and some people respond well to stress; helping to increase their performance, whereas other people may have a more negative response, requiring intervention and support.

It will often fall to a co-worker or manager to spot the signs that someone could be experiencing stress in the workplace regardless of the root cause. Some common signs to watch out for include:

  • Snapping at colleagues

  • Reduced concentration

  • Anxiety

  • Delayed decision making

  • Changes in physical appearance

  • Withdrawing from team activities

  • Restlessness

  • Emotional or erratic behaviour

It can often feel difficult to broach an initial conversation with the individual, for fear of causing offence or adding to their anguish. But offering support can often be the first step to finding a solution and helping to prevent some of the more serious conditions relating to stress e.g. burnout and depression.

If an employee is experiencing stress, the chances are it will be affecting other areas of the business; from impacting on the wider team morale or causing other colleagues to take on work if they take extended sick leave. Offering support and finding solutions early on can help to mitigate some of the side effects.

We’ve outlined the following steps to support a co-worker who is suffering from stress:

1. Establish Communication

If you suspect that a co-worker is experiencing stress, take the opportunity to talk to them in private. Ask open questions and be sensitive to how they may be feeling e.g. "I've noticed that you don't seem yourself. Are you OK? Can I do anything to help?"

They may decide not to open up, in which case, respect their privacy. Alternatively, if they do share how they’re feeling, listen and respond empathetically. This will build trust and show them that you care.

Sometimes, just knowing that they’re sharing how they feel can go a long way toward easing the burden.

2. Identify the Cause of the Stress

Stress has a number of causes and triggers. It also varies from person to person. It could be linked to specific work-related tasks e.g. compiling specific reports or be linked to something non-work related.

The support you provide will be largely dependent on the cause of the stress.

3. Offer Practical Solutions

If the cause of the stress is linked to workload, they may feel like they’re unable to complete all their tasks within the time frame allocated.

Stress can cause even the most organised people to become disorganised which can impact the situation.

You can offer practical solutions to help your co-worker prioritise of delegate their workload. Identifying opportunities for some “quick wins” can go a long way to increasing their self-esteem and motivation.

4. Show Them You Care

It’s not always possible to offer practical advice or solve someone else’s problems, but you can be available to offer kindness and support.

Making someone a cup of tea, or taking them for a coffee can go a long way to helping them appreciate that you’re there as a sounding board.

5. Encourage them to Access the Company EAP

If their stress is deep routed or there are no easily identifiable solutions, signpost them to your company employee assistance program. It should be able to provide access to professional advice and guidance.

6. Protect Yourself

Although your support and attention could help to ease their stress, keep in mind your own workload and capacity.

There is only so much that you can listen or offer advice without it impacting on your own well-being. Stress can cause a ripple effect on the people who are close to the individual experiencing stress, so seek advice from qualified health professionals if there are concerns over stress-related illnesses, or if the stress is causing persistent unhappiness.

How can Danton Help?

Danton help business owners put steps in place to prevent work-related stress and manage cases should they arise. We offer a free 30 minute, no obligation call to anyone wanting to talk through their plans. Call now: 01527 306 760

Read More About Work Related Stress

Did you know that 1 in 5 people take time off work due to work-related stress, but over 90% of these people won’t claim “stress” as the reason for the absence?

The effects of workplace stress can be far reaching. It can cause long term-absence, create unforeseen costs and have a knock-on effect on the emotional health and stress in the rest of the team.

Read our guide: Managing Stress in the Workplace to learn tips on managing and preventing stress in your workplace.

Nicola Roke