A recent article in the New York Times
declared that workplace stress has a measurable
impact on Americans' health and costs the nation more
than $300 billion each year.
Corporate response is that having to do more with less
is a tough fact of life in today's constant search for
increased productivity. If this pursuit is stressful, say
the corporate gurus, then we all have to find a way to
deal with it.
One result is the introduction by well-meaning
companies of stress reduction programs. Everything
from massage at our desks, yoga sessions, health club
memberships and seminars, seminars, and more
seminars are thrown into the basket of remedies to
counter mounting stress.
Now comes the first measure of results: Researchers
are finding that the benefits of stress reduction
programs are short lasting, serving primarily to make
both employees and employers feel better that at least
they are doing something.
But, there is
something that works. In the
view of Dr. Peter L. Schnall of the Center for
Occupational and Environmental Health at the
University of California at Irvine, "When it comes
to job stress, control over one's work may be the most
important factor." He feels that even in the
most grueling work environment, people can cope if
they feel they have some control.
As Kolbe trained consultants, we have the most
effective tools in the marketplace to help employers
empower their employees by matching their talents to
workplace tasks. Consultants marketing their services
along these lines are getting great responses. Give it a
try.
