Good food and drink, plenty of exercise and sleep, alternating tension and relaxation are the best remedy for stress. How simple can it be? It is always advisable to allow employees the opportunities and support for a healthier work and life style. At the same time, stress is also a very personal matter. Every employee is different, and every situation is different.
Lutgert: "The level of personal resilience and mental strength are dependent on many factors."
Van Amstel: "It has to do with mindset and personality. If someone is open to change, or is someone just very cautious? Also the social environment matters. Someone may or may not combine work and private jobs very well. Competencies also play a major role. One person has more to offer than the other or is simply cut better for certain tasks. "
A better conversation
Precisely because there are large differences between employees, councils company Lutgert and psychologist Van Amstel HR managers, are taking measures to promote the open engagement in dialogue with employees. The way in which this conversation takes place is important, says Lutgert. "Make no promises you can not keep. And never say if someone complains about pressure. You must make the boundaries of confidentiality clear, or else you know for sure that your employee will never ask for help. That way you will lose sight of how people feel and how they stand in their work."
The real problem
Van Amstel notes that the tone of the conversation is crucial. He advocates for so-called 'what' questions. "Stay away from why-questions: Why do you not finish your work while others succeed, why are you also in the evening still so often at work? If you like going to work, chances are that someone being defensive. Diversify your questions and invite open discussion. How come you're always so busy? What struck you, what's in your way? If you arrange the conversation like this, it is likely that many more people will tell you where the real problem lies. If the volunteer stumbles, the private partner appears less flexible, if anyone honestly admits that he or she lacks specific knowledge or skills. If people tell you what their biggest stumbling block is, you can more easily target these employees to improve them."