The latest results from Badenoch & Clark’s Employment Study have unearthed some worrying trends among accounting and finance staff. Over 60% of workers are stressed, with a quarter of those surveyed citing job insecurity as the major cause.
More worrying still, 77% have not raised their concerns with their line manager, with a third (30%) of those surveyed saying they did not want to add to their boss’s worries.
Stress levels have increased generally across industries as the global economic climate has taken its toll, and nearly half of all accounting and finance staff (46%) have seen their workload increase. Over a third (38%) have little confidence in their business leaders and feel their managers expect too much from them.
Key Points to help prevent stress in the workplace
- Improve communication
Without this, speculation and rumour can lead to a worried and dis-engaged workforce. - Consult with staff regularly
Ensure you have regular meetings with staff to prevent problems before they arise - Reward and incentivise staff
Provide further motivation by offering rewards for hard work - Develop a social environment away from the office
Improve the communications channels by getting staff together outside of work, to help develop an open dialogue
Lynne Hardmann, Executive Director at Badenoch & Clark, comments: “There is clearly still a communication disconnect between employees and employers. With so many workers stressed, it is inevitable that performance will suffer and directly impact the business unless it is resolved swiftly. Stress and increased workloads can quickly lead to a disgruntled and disengaged workforce.
“Line managers need to understand the demands placed on their teams and be trained to deal with pressure themselves in order to prevent stress permeating the workforce and having a detrimental effect on the rest of the business. Creating an open dialogue between management and staff is crucial to a productive team.
“Accounting staff, perhaps more than any other profession, will understand the financial situation of a business and this could breed an atmosphere of stress if management are not sharing and discussing this information and engaging staff in the long term plans of the business.
“As the economy picks up, firms that do not address these issues and allay the concerns of their workforce will inevitably see many workers heading for the door.”
One Comment
Having just read you article, I had to say that everything written is all true.
Unfortunately staff are more worried about talking to their line manager about problem they may have because they are scared of being sacked !
There is a culture out there at the moment of ” i had better not say anything they may get rid of me”
I dont think that in this country we are particuloarly good at being able to sit and discuss how they feel withouth being scared. Perhaps its a British thing.
I also beleive that some FC depending on which industry they are working in tend not to want to spend any time speaking about their teams feelings ! or worries. It must change and it must not be taken so personally when a member of the team does need to vent how they feel. Whatever happened to the nice office manager whom everyone could go to for a chat.