Stress Management

for Managers
Presented by Cigna
Employee Assistance Program

Seminar Goals

Seminar goals
Recognize the signs and causes of stress in the workplace
Learn ways to manage stress at work
Understand a managers role in stress management
Discuss how managers can help manage workplace stress
Know the benefits of your Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

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The challenge
The stress experienced in a management role is unique:
Visibility in the organization
Criticism
Handling escalated issues and problem-solving
Increased responsibility
Interaction with multiple levels of business

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What are the signs of stress?

Behavioral/Emotional
Irritability
Feelings of anger or frustration
Increased tobacco or alcohol use
Disrupted eating patterns
Communication difficulties
Irrational or unpredictable behavior
Lack of concentration
Physical
Headache
Low energy
Upset stomach
Muscle aches
Difficulty sleeping

(Helpguide.org, 2012)
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At Work
Apathy or withdrawal
Tardiness
Absenteeism
Procrastination
Low morale

Contributors to workplace stress

Deadlines and heavy workload
Time management
Workplace conflict
Lack of recognition
Performance problems and difficult employees
Long work hours

(Helpguide.org, 2012 and Business Link)

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Contributors to workplace stress

continued

Stressors in personal life

Insufficient training
Job insecurity
Organizational change
Environmental concerns
Unsupportive work relationships

(Helpguide.org, 2012 and Business Link)

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Healthy vs. Unhealthy

Stress Levels
How do stress levels vary in work situations?

Deadlines
Competition
High standards
Goals

What is a healthy level of stress?

How does stress build to unhealthy levels?

(Scott, Elizabeth, 2011)

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Change self-defeating patterns

Do you
Always strive for perfectionism?
Have negative thoughts about your performance as a manager?
Feel the need to control every task that is under your role?
Get easily disorganized?
Run from confrontation, or confront others too quickly?

(Helpguide.org, 2012 and Scott, Elizabeth, 2011)

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Manage your time

Plan and prioritize daily
Know your peak time
Be flexible
Dont procrastinate
Delegate
Reward yourself

(Helpguide.org, 2012)
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Developing your Self-Care Plan

Stress relief in the workplace

Exercise
Watch what you eat
Take quality breaks
Relax
Vary your activities

(Mayo Clinic, 2010 and University of Georgia)

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What about

Employee
Stress?
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Responding to employee stress

Develop a preventative and responsive outlook
Recognize signs of stress in employees
Give employees the tools to manage stress
Identify what you can and cant change
Know resources that can help when needed

(Umiker, William)
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Set the

tone
Examine your behavior
Set a positive example
Encourage balance
Teach time management skills

(Helpguide.org, 2012)
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Talk the talk:

communication tips
Give direct and respectful feedback
Be open, accessible and understanding
Give clear and consistent directions
Maintain professional boundaries
Inform employees about planned changes

(Helpguide.org, 2012 and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2005)
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Stress reducers
Encourage employees ideas
Recognize accomplishments
Use morale boosters and team building
Be alert for unbalanced workloads
Provide training for skill deficits
Offer EAP services

(Helpguide.org, 2012)
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EAP benefits for managers

Self-referral
Manager consultation
Informal referrals to the EAP
Formal referrals to the EAP as part of performance
improvement plans

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Management consultation
A quick and convenient source of
information, advice, and assistance for
a wide variety of managerial issues
Relieves you of the burden of handling
employee issues alone
Saves you time so you can focus on your
other job responsibilities
May lead to referral of an employee to the EAP
Helps to assure a more satisfied and productive workforce

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Benefits of the EAP

Face to Face Sessions
Confidential
Prepaid
Unlimited Telephonic consultation
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Household benefit
Work/Life Support such as eldercare, childcare and pet care.
Financial Services
Legal Services

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References
Business Link. (n.d.). How to Deal with Stress. Retrieved from
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1074428029&type=RESOURCES
Helpguide.org. (2012). Stress at Work: Tips to Reduce and Manage Job and Workplace Stress.
Retrieved from http://helpguide.org/mental/work_stress_management.htm
Mayo Clinic. (2010). Exercise and stress: Get moving to combat stress. Retrieved from
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise-and-stress/SR00036
Scott, Elizabeth. (2011). Individualized Stress Relief for Better Health. Retrieved from
http://stress.about.com/od/understandingstress/a/stress_relief.htm
Scott, Elizabeth. (2011). Cultivating Gratitude The Benefits of Gratitude for Stress Relief. Retrieved
from http://stress.about.com/od/positiveattitude/a/gratitude.htm
Umiker, William O. (n.d.). Stress control: your role as supervisor. Retrieved from
http://www.allbusiness.com/human-resources/employee-development/101798-1.html
University of Georgia. (n.d.). Managing Stress: A Guide for College Students. Retrieved from
http://www.uhs.uga.edu/stress/nutrition.html
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2005). A Guide to Managing Stress in Crisis
Response Professions. Retrieved from
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/emergencypreparedness/resilience_resources/support_documents/sup
ervisorintra/intradeployment_supervisors.html
Use and distribution limited solely to authorized personnel. 2012 Cigna Some content provided under license.

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