A stress-free workplace

On the next six pages, we present extracts with key phrases and expressions you can use in HR situations.

1. The work-life balance

Neil: My main priorities as the HR manager are employee satisfaction and productivity. My goal is to help our employees achieve the best work-life balance possible. As you will have personnel responsibility, I need you to support me in this role.

Sue: Of course.

Neil: You’ll find everything you’ll need on our intranet. There’s a whole section on HR. Take a look at our new employee assistance programme, the EAP. We work with an external company.

Sue: After introducing counselling at my last company, we reduced staff turnover and absenteeism by ten per cent.

Neil: That’s impressive.

2. Big, bright offices

Neil: Thanks to the recent redesign, we have a very modern working environment.

Sue: Nice colours! Better than mouse grey.

Neil: I totally agree. Most employees sit in one of the big open-plan offices. We have quiet rooms and co-working spaces.

Sue: Are there any issues I should know about?

Neil: There have been complaints about noise. On the whole, though, giving people more choice and control over where they work makes them happier — and more productive. Would you agree? Sue: Absolutely. It’s important to empower staff.

3. Feel good, feel safe

Neil: I am also responsible for staff well-being. If anyone has a work-related accident, you need to inform me as soon as possible. We’re not a production facility, so the health and safety regulations are quite short. You’ll find all the safety procedures on the intranet, too.

Sue: Accidents in this office? Are they riding around on scooters?

Neil: Actually, you’d be surprised at what does happen. Most accidents are in the kitchen areas — because of knives and glasses.

Sue: Ouch!

4. Support is important

Sue: What should I be doing to help support HR?

Neil: Inform your team about our generous welfare policies and training programmes. We’re proud that we offer flexitime and childcare for preschool children. Again, it’s all on the intranet.

Sue: I have a lot of reading to do. Neil: Talking of reading, you can keep up to date by reading our monthly HR newsletter. The next one is about our employee survey. We’ll be asking questions about workload, intensity, pressure and social support at work. It should help us identify psychological stress factors in the workplace, so we can develop measures for improvement.