Jennifer Bucher's Online Journal: Stress in the workplace

Stress in the workplace

Handling stress in the workplace is an area that hits home to me. My mother has recently been placed on disability for mental exertion she felt while on the job as a Registered Nurse. A job that she has had for twenty years. Some of you may think that seems silly, to be so stressed out you can't handle your job anymore? However, it is a growing issue that companies need to be prepared for. In the competitive culture we live in, it's not unusual for a CEO or partner to be prescribed Xanax or Prozac. What can be done? I think educating the HR department on stress and mental illness is important. Understanding that the risks are very serious when mental illness is not handled properly is extremely crucial. If the HR team can watch for warning signs, they may be able to intervene before it's too late. In addition, many companies institute a program that provides employees with anonymous mental health counselors or call centers and these can be very valuable as well. Whatever the case, this cannot go on ignored. For a company to be successful, it must have successful employees who are free from stress and mental illness.