THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STRESS AT HOME AND STRESS AT WORK

There is mounting evidence that work-family stress is related to higher absenteeism, lower performance, and higher job and family stress. New research points to significant links to occupational safety and health and work family stress, according to the Oregon Healthy Workforce Center. In order to reduce work-family stress, employers should help their staff to achieve better work-family balance by observing the following:

v      Training managers and supervisors to be more supportive of work and family. Recent evidence shows that employee support from managers and supervisors for family and work balance leads workers to report better health, improved job satisfaction, and lower intentions to leave the company.

v       Giving workers more control over their work hours. Increased control over when, where, and how work gets done is related to improved health behaviors.

v      Creating a resource guide for employees and their families.

v      Being a role model. Take some time off to be with your own family to show your employees you know this should be a priority for them as well.

v      Encouraging and supporting flexible schedules. Help employees to come up with creative solutions for child care coverage during holidays and school vacations such as working a compressed workweek, when possible.

Since the working environment has such a strong influence on employees and their families, employers should ensure that the working environment is one that encourages balance between work and family, facilitates employees’ health, and reduces injury risk. This will benefit everyone.

NIOSH