The workplace should not be a battlefield
Hong Kong people have a very fast pace of life. In whatever circumstances – family, school, workplace or community – we have to cope with various forms of stresses, which can be suffocating and emotionally disturbing. In our society, human resources are an important aspect of wealth. There are, however, a great deal of individuals who spend more than half of each day working. Their mental health issues are directly conducive to sundry problems: lowered productivity, underperformance and increased expenditure on medical benefits, etc. In the workplace, there has been a growing amount of health and emotional issues caused by stresses. Correspondingly, employees show additional demands for emotional and socializing supports as well as coordination on their work environments.
The predominant source of stresses lies in relationships and gossips
According to Dr. Clara To - Chairperson of the Division of Industrial- Organizational Psychology, the Hong Kong Psychological Society Ltd. - the mental pressure for employees largely originates from relationships. Frictions tend to appear amidst communications between seniors and subordinates, interactions among colleagues and cooperation across teams. In every working position, seniors and subordinates hold their own expectation about their duties. For instances, while a boss allows his/her staff a certain extent of freedom at the workplace, their performances may not fulfill his/her requirement. Unclear communication between the two parties may also lead to unnecessary pressure or even a push and pull tension between two sides. Meanwhile, staff members from individual teams, who are usually accustomed to their own working approach and insensitive to that of other departments, would impose their own ways of doing things upon others, which gives rise to inevitable moments of misunderstanding and unpleasantness. Furthermore, Dr. To states that, in current times, there are plenty of jobs that demand multi-tasking, which is exhausting for one’s mind and energy. Remaining at such condition for a lasting period undermines one’s health of body and mind. In most cases, employees are unable to prioritize their tasks properly or recognize their capacities’ limits. Enduring a stressful environment continuously, their bodies show such symptoms as headache, diarrhea and sweaty hands. Emotional trauma that gradually emerges will hinder their work performances.
Employee stress lowers the company’s productivity
Confronting pressure at their workplaces, a plethora of employees suffer decline in mental health, which gradually hinders their work performances without their knowing. According to Dr. To, some workers take sick leaves on Monday or Friday purposefully. There are also those who return to offices at 9:00 am sharp and those who only work to rule. Regarding the organization, the deterioration of mental health of its employees can lead to devaluation of tangible assets as well as intangible loss. These may cover increases in expenditure on medical benefits and insurances, underperforming staff, slackened productivity and the lack of proactiveness and engagement among employees. While these impacts may not be apparent in the short run, they will bring about lasting troubles to the organization. Dr. To indicates that there has not been any systematic statistical research or tracking study on influences casted by emotional health of employees on their organizations. According to figures shown by academic studies in Europe and United States, the level of engagement and proactiveness of employees can affect the productivity of the company and the performance and health of its staff.
Psychologists’ contributions to the morale of enterprise
In every company, all management board members aspire for maintaining a healthy working environment to intensity the sense of belonging for their staff and facilitate the workplace’s atmosphere. Concerning this, a group of industrial- organizational psychologists have committed themselves to resolving dilemma arising from people’s issues and companies’ systems, with the intention to utilize human resources effectively and implement healthy policies. Joining force with her professional team, Dr. To offers vocational professional trainings and education programmes for miscellaneous kinds of companies. Introducing to them elements of positive psychology, Dr. To’s and her fellow teammates generate changes from the staff’s mentality and inspire them to understand their ability to choose and control. Regardless of your position - a boss or employee - you are capable of mastering your emotions and respecting others. For instances, is it compulsory to finish every task hurriedly? How should you assign chores to your subordinates appropriately so as to boost their sense of autonomy and recognition?
In every company, all management board members aspire for maintaining a healthy working environment to intensity the sense of belonging for their staff and facilitate the workplace’s atmosphere. Concerning this, a group of industrial- organizational psychologists have committed themselves to resolving dilemma arising from people’s issues and companies’ systems, with the intention to utilize human resources effectively and implement healthy policies. Joining force with her professional team, Dr. To offers vocational professional trainings and education programmes for miscellaneous kinds of companies. Introducing to them elements of positive psychology, Dr. To’s and her fellow teammates generate changes from the staff’s mentality and inspire them to understand their ability to choose and control. Regardless of your position - a boss or employee - you are capable of mastering your emotions and respecting others. For instances, is it compulsory to finish every task hurriedly? How should you assign chores to your subordinates appropriately so as to boost their sense of autonomy and recognition?
The mental health of the majority of employees in Hong Kong is still being overlooked. However, due to surges in expenditures on medical allowances and insurances, etc, management board members are aware of the significance of maintaining the health of body and mind of their staff as well as the need for allaying the stress in work environment. A healthy emotional state in the workplace can benefit employee’s personal growth and performances and strengthen their sense of belonging and satisfaction. All these contribute to a healthy living fashion.
Original article from BOKSS’s Newsletter
