Stress on the job is taking its toll on American workers and it’s affecting businesses large and small. It is important for business owners to be aware of this and take proactive measures to reduce stress in their work environment, otherwise it can lead to adverse health consequences and a less effective workplace.

Work-related stress can fray one’s nerves, keep you up at night, and contribute to a host of health problems, such as heart disease, depression, anxiety, gastrointestinal issues and other physical and psychological issues. “Chronic job strain can put both your physical and emotional health at risk,” Paul J. Rosch, MD, the president of the American Institute of Stress told health.com.

The bottom line is that job-related stress affects employee well-being and it directly impacts the success of your business. With a dysfunctional workplace where teams are not on the same page, they are to a degree working against each other, as opposed to being united and working towards a common goal. This is not the kind of atmosphere that fosters positivity and growth.

The Dysfunctional Workplace Environment 

Employees thrive in positive workplace environments. The most successful company cultures have everyone working together as a team, building each other up instead of tearing each other down. But in reality, team issues are a challenge for most, if not all business owners, especially in the first years in business.

If workplace harmony is not achieved, it leads to tension in the office, work-related stress, lost productivity, and a lot of unnecessary headaches for the business owner. One of the common headaches being a high employee turnover. Every business owner knows how time-consuming it can be to hire and re-train new employees after old ones quit or were let go. If left unchecked, it can become an endless revolving door of employees, not to mention a drain on the business owner’s emotional and financial resources.

In an Inc. Magazine article, it addressed the “enormous cost of unhappy employees” and how Gallup reported that disengaged employees came at a big price tag – in the ballpark of $450 to $550 billion each year. “Studies have shown time and time again that happy employees will contribute to their business and increase profitability,” Inc. reported.

If you’re a business owner who’s had trouble creating an All-Star team that works well together, one makes you proud, a business coach can help you fix that. While each situation is unique, here are some ways to address a dysfunctional work environment:

  • Hire for company culture. Don’t only go by a person’s resume or how they look on paper. Before hiring ask yourself, “Does this person fit in our company culture?”
  • If an applicant has set off red flags, or if they don’t feel “right,” listen to your gut.
  • A lot of things, such as computer programs can be taught, but you cannot teach someone to have a good personality. Sometimes, passion, tenacity and drive trump experience.
  • Do not tolerate yelling and belittling in the workplace. You must foster an environment where people are treated with dignity and respect.
  • Do an excellent job training employees and then let them do their jobs. Avoid hovering and micromanaging.
  • When hiring, encourage your team to help. Advise trusted team members to always be on the lookout for top talent, even when they’re out of the office.
  • Encourage employees to always ask questions, especially when they don’t understand an order, task or command.
  • When an employee comments or makes a suggestion, take it to heart.
  • Encourage teamwork and go out of your way to provide team-building activities.
  • Celebrate your team’s success and give credit to employees for their hard work and contributions.
  • Offer your employees rewards and incentives to acknowledge them and provide motivation.

If your employees are happy and engaged, they’ll be more productive and that’s good for your business. At AdviCoach, our coaches help business owners develop their employees as individuals and teams, so they can have a happy, healthy work environment. Contact us today if you’d like to create a positive, productive workplace that your employees love.