A Guide to Managing Stress in Crisis Response Professions

CHAPTER III. Promoting a Positive Workplace Environment

• Minimizing Stress

A proactive stress management plan focuses both on the environment and the individual. A clear organizational structure with defined roles and responsibilities for linestaff responders, leads, supervisors, and managers reduces the potential for staff stress (Quick, Quick, Nelson, & Hurrell, 1997). An effective manager is familiar with the many facets of worker stress and takes a wide range of steps to integrate stress management strategies in the workplace.

As a supervisor or manager you must assume shared responsibility for promoting a positive and healthy work environment, and not rely exclusively on workers initiating their own self-care practices. You should address the following dimensions when designing a stress management plan that prioritizes environmental and organizational health:

• Effective management structure and leadership;
• Clear purpose, goals, and training;
• Functionally defined roles;
• Administrative controls;
• Team support; and
• Plan for stress management.

Managers today face the multiple challenges of bringing energy and passion, promoting a positive attitude, and creating an environment in which people feel connected to their work and their colleagues (Lundin, Paul, & Christensen, 2000). Managers can boost employees' perception of strong management support through feedback, open communication, and high visibility—that is, through a dynamic and supportive leadership style, one III. Promoting a Positive Workplace Environment ◆13 Promoting a Positive Workplace Environment which engages with others in such a way as to raise one another to high levels of motivation (Peters & Waterman, 1982).

Following are some principles of leadership that you can apply in the ordinary course of your daily life: Meet challenges head on; be curious and daring; create a culture where failure and error are looked upon as steps toward success; demonstrate personal courage to galvanize a team or organization that lacks resolve; and when life or business deals a bad hand, have faith. The most inspiring opportunities for courage come when you face the longest odds (Sandys, 2003).

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Minimizing Stress in the Workplace

• Set the tone by relating to workers with respect and valuing their contributions.
• Hold regular staff meetings to plan, problem solve, recognize accomplishments, and promote staff cohesiveness (CMHS, 2000).
• Clearly communicate the rationale behind procedural or supervisory changes and performance expectations (CMHS, 2000).
• Create a formal employee suggestion system (CMHS, 2000) and encourage staff to contribute.
• Resolve conflicts early and quickly (Figley, 1995).
• Prepare workers for concrete tasks they may perform through technical training (McCarroll et al., 1993).
• Acknowledge that work is often stressful and connect staff to professional help if necessary.
• Promote an atmosphere where attention to one's emotional state is acceptable and encouraged rather than stigmatized or disregarded.

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