These suggestions came from a survey conducted regarding what has been useful for various businesses and organizations. Pick ones that you would use for your organization and use them. If you require coaching or training for the implementation, contact us for professional support.

1. Focus groupsdiscussion of issues and solutions

2. Survey employees regarding issues and possible solutions

3. Divide issues into ones where there is control and ones where is NO control

a. Acceptance of no control

b. Possible solutions or enhanced practices (Tackle the difficult situations and not just talk but solid follow-throughwith accountability)

4. Invite input and participation from every sector and all personnel

5. Educate or at least update all personnel regularly and have supervisors explain the roles and expectations that will accompany any changes/transitions (help create buy-in for each of your key personnel.)

6. Get support networks developed and working

7. Create recognition for positive organization stress management suggestions (reward positive participation, celebrate the best suggestionsfollow through)

8. Get leadership to role model stress management- positive re-enforcement for individuals or groups that demonstrate improvement.

9. Educate all personnel on how and when to use EAPs

10. Reduce stigma of admitting effects of stress by training/educating personnel on why we are more stressed now than ever before in history (reduces sense of weakness)

11. Gather statistics on retention (costs) and sick time (or even stress related workers compensation claims) so you can determine if the stress management program is working (to improve negative stats.)

12. Teach managers to really listen!

13. Reduce availability of stressors: noise, crowding, caffeine, noxious odors (or people.)

14. Create time and space for stress management practices (for individuals or possibly groups/teams)

15. Create organizational play/fun

16. Teach meeting management, for less wasted time and less stressful meetings

17. Get people physically active as a stress management tool (Exercise and empowerment)

18. Allow for balance of work/family. (Family leave time, honored)

19. Celebrate diversity/differences of style-behavior, values, attitudes (know that variations create balance and solid organizations.) Enhanced communication workshops

These tips, when implemented, can assist your organization by reducing organizational stress, improving the quality of life, and may even prove useful to enhance productivity. Give these tips a chance to work for your organization.