CSS On K24: How To Manage Workplace Stress

Occasionally, Corporate Staffing Services, as a leading HR recruitment firm in Kenya, gets to share on various platforms about issues affection employees at work. Coupled with our expertise in the industry, we are well aware of the various issues in the work place and are interested in sharing this information with others.

Perminus Wainaina, the Head of Recruitment and Managing Partner at Corporate Staffing Services was invited by K24 to share his insights on mental stress in the work place.

Being that, most of us spend most of our time working; it is understandable that the working environment can end up affecting our health. It’s ironical that the same thing that is meant to be a source of live hood and income can have a negative effect on us psychologically.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) it estimates that more than 30 million people around the globe suffer from depression. Managing stress at the work place is important for the overall health of all employees.

While some pressure in the work place can act as motivators, too much of that can lead to work place stress. Further studies point to the fact that, 10% of the working population has taken leave due to stress related problems, something that has ended up costing the globe over 1 trillion dollars every year in lost productivity.

A lack of interest in things that you enjoyed before and feelings of worthlessness are some of the symptoms of depression that should be addressed as soon as possible.

Managing Workplace Related Stress

According to Mr. Wainaina, there is a need for organizations to create awareness on the effects of depression and stress.

As part of their training, HR practitioners are equipped with basic counseling skills and apart from ensuring that the wok environment is conducive for employees, their other role is to counsel employee who seem like they are headed to depression.

He said that organizations in Kenya should have an open door policy where employees can be open about what is going on in their lives, encourage team building activities as well as other programmes that will in the end create a conducive work environment.

He concluded that it is in the interest of both the employer and the employee to exist in an environment that is stress free.

Depression is a condition that can affect anyone. It develops slowly and is triggered by different things. It is therefore advisable to see a psychologist or psychiatrist whenever you suspect that you might be heading to depression.