How an Occupational Healthcare Program Can Help Workers Manage Stress 

Stress at work is a major driver of employee illness, straining both physical and mental health. An estimated 65% of workers in the United States reported work as being a very significant or somewhat significant source of stress in each year from 2019 to 2021, according to the American Psychological Organization. Workplace stress has been linked to 120,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. 

Managing stress, especially stress at work, is critical to overall worker health and wellness. As an employer, your occupational healthcare program can help your workers manage their stress so they can become happier, healthier, more productive employees. 

The Impact of Stress on Workers 

Stress doesn’t have to be directly related to work for it to impact your employees’ work life. Financial stress, a sick family member or relationship struggles can bleed into the workday and cause difficulties for your employees. 

Some common ways in which stress impacts workers are: 

• Impacted job performance: When their attention is focused on a stressor, whatever it may be, there’s less mental capacity for their work. 

• Reduced productivity: Not being able to focus on their work tasks means stressed workers will be less productive. 

• Decreased work engagement: Workers who experience stress and have a lot on their minds won’t be as engaged in their work, which can have an impact on your whole team. 

• Increased absenteeism: Stress isn’t just a mental condition; it can greatly impact a worker’s physical health. Workers who experience high or prolonged stress are more likely to become ill, leading to more time away from work. 

How Your Occupational Healthcare Program Can Address Worker Stress 

Your employees spend 40 hours per week — or 2,080 hours per year — at work. Giving them access to tools and resources to improve their stress levels benefits your workers and, by extension, your business. 

Here are some ways your occupational healthcare program can be adapted to assist workers with managing stress. 

Access to Mental Health Support 

Therapy isn’t just for people in crisis. It can be a great tool to help set goals, sort out priorities and keep everyday stress manageable. 

Whether you offer onsite mental health appointments, access to virtual therapy sessions or partner with local providers to ensure workers have access to the help they need, prioritizing worker mental health is key to helping workers manage their stress. Creating a culture where workers can talk about their stress, especially with a manager who can help them reprioritize tasks and projects to make the workload more manageable, can go a long way toward giving workers the tools they need to take their stress management seriously. 

You also could consider offering a few paid mental health days to all employees each year. The ability to take a day off to rest and recharge — without having to use vacation or sick days — could make a big difference to your employees. 

Stress Management Workshops and Training 

Workshops can serve as a great alternative if you’re unable to provide dedicated mental health services in your occupational healthcare program, or they can be an additional tool your workers can use. 

Web-based stress management and mental health programs are typically very cost-effective, and they can be accessed on your employees’ schedules. Dedicated in-person workshops can be a valuable tool for building a sense of trust among your workers. 

Quick Access to Medical Professionals 

Having an occupational healthcare program gives your employees quick access to medical professionals when they’re ill or injured — or experiencing overwhelming stress.  

Your occupational care team can give your worker resources and may even be able to connect them with a mental health professional to address their stress levels. They also can serve as a safe place to go when employees feel overly stressed, allowing them some space to decompress and return to work. 

Your Occupational Healthcare Program Partner 

Medcor offers occupational health solutions to meet the needs of any organization, from full-scale onsite clinics to 24/7 injury and illness triage. Offerings can be customized to meet your team’s unique needs, including providing resources and assistance with stress management. See how a Medcor clinic can help your workers stay healthy and productive while reducing your healthcare costs. Speak with an advocate today.