HR manager and stress management – does it sound to be linked in any way?? While it may not be to the layman, managing work related stress in employees and role of an HR manager are intrinsically correlated. Well organized and effectively managed work helps in promoting and maintaining the well-being and health of an employee. But in a scenario where insufficient priority has been given to the work organization, job design, and management, a significant portion of benefits and efficiency can be lost with respect to ‘good work.’ And, one of the most common results of this is stress!!! 

What is Work Related Stress? 

To define the term, stress in an employee arises from the situation where work demands, exceeds the capability and capacity of the individual. In a scenario, where the company is expecting ‘too much’ from the employee, irrespective of their capability and efficiency, it leads to work related stress. Often, unclear goals and duties, and bullying or harassment are related to the causes of work related stress in employees. This is a significant reason behind diseases and illness in employees, and is often correlated with the staff turnover, higher rates of employee absenteeism, and other key indicators of under performance. 

Role of HR Manager in Stress Management 

To cope up with stress in employees, it is important to take effective actions. This not only benefits towards promoting the employee performance, but also enhances the scope for team and organizational development. Most importantly, it is a legal requirement for the HR managers to “diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate” the employees who experience stress at workplace. Effective stress management solutions also help in instilling Corporate Social Responsibility among the employees and management.

Different bodies of the organization are responsible towards managing stress at workplace, but an HR manager plays a pivotal role here. They ensure that the procedures and policies are formulated and implemented accurately to manage the work related stress. The HR department works with the Health and safety department to tackle stress by managing how the organization decentralizes responsibilities, and preventing harassments and bullying at workplace. The important roles and responsibilities of an HR manager in stress management include: 

• To understand what is work related stress, what are the causes behind it, and how it can be managed and prevented 
• To formulate relevant and effective stress management policies to cope with this budding issue in organization 
• To communicate and engage with the employees regarding this issue, and raising awareness in the way of working with trade unions or other related aspects 
• To undertake effective Management Standards or other outlook towards identifying the level of stress in the organization and what solutions can be implemented to improve from the current situation 
• To work with other departments of the organization, including Health and Safety, in formulating and implementing solutions that have been identified by the employees 
• To review and monitor stress management solutions, along with procedures and policies 
• To work with other bodies and support line managers to prevent and manage employees experiencing stress, and to help them return back to work 
• To identify and develop other initiatives and policies that can promote well-being and health of the employees.        

“One moment of patience may ward off great disaster; one moment of impatience may ruin a whole life” ­– Chinese Wisdom. 

To prevent such situation, it is imperative that the HR manager takes strict action and implement stringent policies in coping with the employee stress at workplace. 

What significant role is your HR Manager playing in helping you cope with the work related stress? Your valuable inputs will be an eye opener and life saver for most of us.