As mental health awareness increases each year, business managers must know how to manage an employee with anxiety. When employees have anxiety in the workplace, it can be hard to accomplish office tasks or find the motivation necessary to show up to work each day. However, managers can do many things to help anxious employees overcome their stress.
Many people require medication to deal with their anxiety. This requirement may come with medical and pharmaceutical expenses the Canadian government does not cover.
Group Enroll helps business managers enroll their employees in a group benefits package. We can find the best quotes available for your business through our network of Canadian insurance companies.
Below, we will inform you how to create a work environment suitable for employees dealing with anxiety at work.
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What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is an unpleasant emotional state caused by worry and fear. It can manifest itself in several ways, including facial breakouts, racing thoughts, and muscle tension. In extreme cases, anxiety may lead to full-blown panic attacks or other symptoms of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
Anxiety can be a normal reaction to everyday life pressure, or it can worsen into an illness that requires treatment. While everyone feels anxious at times, those who experience chronic issues may have constant, prolonged feelings of anxiety.
People who experience chronic anxiety face physical effects and emotional symptoms. Physical symptoms include excessive sweating, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and rapid heartbeat.
People with severe anxiety may have difficulty performing everyday tasks like driving or making phone calls. Emotional symptoms may include restlessness, irritability, and frustration.
Effective treatment for chronic anxiety can help reduce the severity of these physical and emotional symptoms and help sufferers live a more productive life.
Causes of Workplace Anxiety
Many factors can influence anxiety in the workplace. By knowing the causes of workplace anxiety, you can develop methods to create a pleasant work environment for your employees.
Below are some things that can make your employees feel more anxious in the office.
Too Much Work
One of the biggest dangers of overworking your employees is burnout. Burnout happens when you feel so overwhelmed that you lose your motivation to work. This effect can make it hard for your employee to perform their job well and lead to more stress.
Some medical problems may arise when you overwork your employees. Overworking can cause health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. If your employee is anxious, consider giving them some breaks during the day.
Overworking can be hard on your employees’ bodies if they are not careful. It puts a lot of strain on muscles and joints, causing pain and discomfort. Employees may develop aches and pains in their back or neck, making it hard to turn their heads or move around.
Micromanagement
One of the worst things you can do as a manager is to micromanage your employees. When you start taking over an employee’s role, it can be stressful for them.
Your employees may start feeling like they do not have any control over their work or schedule. Therefore, it can cause them to want to quit or even fight back against you to get more freedom and control over their day-to-day activities.
To avoid micromanaging your employees, remember that they are people first. Your employees will be more willing to work with you if they feel like they have some autonomy over their work. By delegating tasks and allowing your employees to work independently, you send the signal that you trust them.
Colleague Conflict
Managing employee conflict is an essential skill that every manager must learn. If you fail to handle conflict appropriately, it can cause many problems for your business and employees. When an employee is nervous about coming to work each day, it will impact your workplace culture.
There are several ways you can help facilitate a resolution between employees when they have a falling out. Sometimes it is best to let them hash it out in person. At other times, you may need to intervene.
One thing to keep in mind is that there are no set rules for how you should respond to employee clashes. Your role as a manager is not to win the conflict but to ensure that your employees feel safe and respected. A healthy work environment leads to high productivity.
How to Manage an Employee with Anxiety
Create a Friendly Work Environment
A friendly work environment is one where everyone feels welcome and valued. You can encourage this atmosphere by being approachable and ensuring that you acknowledge your employees when they do a good job. Workers will feel more valued when they see you taking the time to encourage them.
Another way to create a friendly work environment is by planning fun events. Whether having beach days or holding weekly fun activities like an ice cream social, you will positively impact morale.
Ultimately, the most vital thing for employers to remember is to make sure your team feels valued and respected. By making them feel welcomed and included, you will create a more enjoyable work experience for all employees.
Offer an Open Door Policy
While you cannot control everything in your office, you can certainly have an open-door policy for your employees. An open-door policy means that your employees are free to approach you with any concerns or questions they may have. By creating this environment, you can ensure that your employees feel comfortable and safe while they are at work.
Furthermore, having an open-door policy can prevent issues from arising in the first place. By ensuring that your team has a way to communicate with you, you can address problems immediately.
Try to arrange regular meetings with your employees to learn more about their day-to-day work experiences. Doing so will help you understand the challenges they face and how you can help them resolve these issues. You can encourage your employees to feel more connected and engaged in the workplace with an open-door policy.
Offer Mental Health Training and Support
Mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, are common for people who work in an office environment. Offering mental health problem support shows your team that you care about their well-being.
There are many ways you can support your employees’ mental health. Tiny gestures, such as offering lunchtime or afternoon snacks, can make a positive difference. When planning how to manage an employee with anxiety, little things can add up over time.
You can also set up a company wellness program or encourage employees to sign up for employee advocacy groups. This gesture shows that you care about your team members’ mental health.
You will help your employees feel more confident and happy at work by offering them support when they need it. It will positively impact their productivity and satisfaction levels, making for a stress-free work environment.
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Help your employees feel safer in the workplace with a comprehensive benefits plan. To get the best group benefits quotes for your Canadian business, fill out the Group Enroll quote form. After an introductory call, we can match you with the group package that best fits your needs.
If you have any questions about our tips for how to manage an employee with anxiety, email Group Enroll at hello@groupenroll.ca or contact us at our office, located at 10 Great Gulf Drive, Unit 5, Vaughan, ON, L4K 5W1.