A recent survey of 1,052 U.S. employees by mental health provider LifeStance Health found that 79% said the upcoming U.S. presidential election has caused them anxiety this year, with 21% saying it has caused them significant anxiety. Employers must recognize that elections can be a significant stressor for their employees, affecting them in various ways. To help your workforce navigate this period, here are 3 actionable tips to manage election-related stress:
- Provide Mental Health Support & Flexibility: Offer access to mental health resources, like Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) or mindfulness programs, and allow work flexibility around Election Days.
- Encourage Healthy Discussions & Set Boundaries: Establish clear guidelines and best practices for respectful political discussions at work and promote a work culture that values active listening, empathy, and understanding. Also, train managers to defuse tense conversations and resolve conflicts effectively.
- Limit Media Exposure: Promote healthy coping skills like limiting exposure to news and social media to help employees manage election-related anxiety.
SHRM’s latest Civility Index, found that U.S. organizations lose more than $1.2 billion in reduced productivity per day due to uncivil behavior at work and $828 million per day due to absenteeism caused by incivility. Promoting workplace civility isn’t just a side issue—it’s a priority that directly impacts productivity and the overall well-being of your workforce.
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