Latest updated: 19 January 2023

Currently, times are tough around the world, and it's something that affects us all. There's talk of going towards a "war winter" with skyrocketing energy prices and inflation, which naturally affects companies and, therefore, the employees. In times like these, it's important to take care of the employees' mental health and prevent the stress that may occur when bad news follows one another.

The effects of the coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine have affected most of us. The worst, of course, is for those who are affected on a human level, but in addition to that, the economy and society are also affected in various ways in Europe and the world. Both individuals, companies, and organizations are likely to have noticed that energy prices are skyrocketing, while inflation is increasing and interest rates are rising.

This affects us not only economically and materially, but also psychologically. The risk of stress and mental illness increases, especially among people who have to handle a crisis both at work and at home. Therefore, it is especially important that companies and organizations keep an eye on the health of their employees and help them handle the stress that may arise in these tough times.

How should HR professionals, managers, or employers approach the fact that employees are becoming stressed - while perhaps being in a pressurized situation themselves?

Here are 5 tips on the way!

1. Focus on what is controllable.

This is a piece of advice that you should both keep in mind yourself and convey to your employees. In times like these, it can feel like there are a lot of things happening that you don't have the slightest chance to affect, which can feel hopeless. But instead, focus on what you can control, and teach your employees to do the same. If you are hard hit by the crisis, make sure to act rationally and proactively, even if it feels very difficult in times of adversity. Avoid unnecessary conflicts and emotional outbursts. Instead, put all your energy into coming up with as many creative and effective solutions as possible to the problems that arise.

2. Speak openly about the situation.

Many employees are probably wondering how much the company is affected by the economic situation and the situation in the world, and this feeling of uncertainty can cause a lot of unnecessary stress. Therefore, make sure to speak openly about the situation and inform employees about how the company is affected and what it means for the future. Explain honestly and transparently what you know and what you don't know. Don't try to sugarcoat the situation, but don't scare people unnecessarily."

3. Spread empathy and check in on how your employees are doing.

In tough times, it's important to cultivate a sense of empathy and community in the workplace. This is, of course, especially important - and especially difficult - if you are hard hit by the current situation. But even if your company is managing the situation well, it's important to understand that individual employees may be struggling financially or feeling a general sense of worry or anxiety about the state of the world. Therefore, it's important to send the signal to employees that you will keep an eye on each other (in a positive sense), act empathetically and avoid unnecessary conflicts.

As an HR professional, manager, or employer, you have an extra responsibility to ensure that your employees are doing well and that they are not stressed or suffering from mental health issues. And remember, that responsibility includes employees who work remotely. Make sure that conversations with and among employees are not just about work, but also about life, society, how they're doing, and what they did over the weekend. Keep a more personal conversation atmosphere always going - otherwise, it will be difficult to know how employees really feel. Make sure that personal small talk becomes a natural part of both meetings and coffee breaks.

4. Help employees take care of themselves.

Stress management is something that the individual must take care of to a large extent, but as an HR professional, manager, or employer, you must give employees the right conditions to handle it. You can do this in many ways. You can let the whole team or individual employees take a course or receive individual guidance and coaching with a focus on stress management, which can give good results both in the short and long term. You can also introduce policies that emphasize and clarify the habits and routines that are good for avoiding stress.

Also, remember that stress is not just a brain ghost - it can also be a sign that you as an employer are pushing your employees too hard and demanding too much of them. Take responsibility for that and make sure that no employee is forced to carry an unreasonable burden on their shoulders.

5. Make sure the company is making a difference in the world.

When many employees feel stressed or worried about the situation in society and in the world, it's a good opportunity for your company to increase its social responsibility. You can make the world a better place and at the same time transform employees' anxiety into energy and motivation. Talk to employees about how you can use their and the company's skills to really contribute to a brighter future for affected people and/or society. In what ways can you contribute resources and skills to charitable projects? How can you influence development for the better?

Do what you can, and you will also feel better, strengthen your community, and feel less stress and anxiety about the difficult situation in the world.