Sign up for the paNOW newsletter

Mitigating the Issues of Stress and Distractions in the Workplace.

Apr 29, 2017 | 10:14 AM

I was asked the other day to provide insight or advice on how our organization approaches stress and how we manage it.  It made me think how we all face this in our organizations and businesses and what a critical issue it can be for every employee.   We may all approach it a little differently but approaching it nonetheless, is the key.

As the director and manager of our Hospital Foundation the issue of managing stress and productivity can be a tricky area to navigate for us.  Speaking physiologically, our office is located at ‘ground zero’ in our hospital (beside emergency and admissions and intensive care), and often the urgent pace of these areas transfers to our workspace. 

In addition, we encourage our doctors and nurses to regularly stop in and say hello to us, which then often develops into meaningful discussions about their unit’s needs.  In particular, specific  pieces of equipment on their ‘wish list’ and ways the Foundation and it’s donors may be able to help the patients in their area. 

Our staff are also the first line of defense for disgruntled and/or disoriented patients or hospital visitors because of our visible location.

The ability to juggle a variety of different interruptions and stimuli and be productive and effective in this environment is a challenging one to say the least.

How do we handle it?  We keep our records tight and in order so that information is correct, current, up to date and quickly accessible.  Example:  Donor files.  Our Financials.  Our social media announcements.  Our website.  Our reports to our Board.  Our equipment orders lists.  It is imperative to us that the most current and up to date information be available at a moment’s notice.  I cannot tell you how many times we’ve received an unannounced visit from a donor or hospital staff member inquiring about funds available or information about our where to give next (most urgent need.)

We keep our small, 600 square foot office neat, clutter free and nicely decorated (art on the walls and great lighting!) 

We operate with flexible working hours in order to accommodate personal and family needs and obligations.  Staff will often work from home if required!

We have a single line of communication between the three of us at all times and work as an effective team, in and out of business hours when required.

We take short, impromptu breaks to laugh and watch cat videos to ground us and relax us!   We attend social events together outside of work! 

We solve issues together through meaningful discussion and compare opinions on challenges we are facing.  We encourage one another, we defend one another and we stand in solidarity for our one common mission: to enhance and enrich our healthcare on behalf of our organization.

The culture of an organization depends heavily on the tone set by its management team.  It is imperative that as leaders of our organizations, we collaborate with our team members about their strengths and abilities and do our best to position each in the area where they will feel most effective and most fulfilled. 

Equally important is to be cognizant of each other’s work style, and teach ourselves to respect the differences in these styles, adapting to the ebbs and flows of a team operating with various people all pulling in their own way, yet still pulling – in the same direction.  

 Stress?  What stress?  Now back to work!