KUALA LUMPUR: Work-related stress is a growing concern in Malaysia as it has a significant impact on the health of employees, the productivity of organisations and the nation’s economy.
Experts said stress in the workplace could manifest as absenteeism or habitual absence from work and presenteeism (working while sick, which can cause productivity loss, poor health, exhaustion and workplace epidemics).
Malaysian Mental Health Association deputy president Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj Chandrasekaran said employers need to understand that workplace stress affected the productivity of an organisation and they should look into ways to tackle the issue.
“Organisations should take active measures in promoting good mental health among employees.
“They should offer Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP), in-house psychological support, adequate health benefits, and team-building activities.
“Employees with psychological problems must be supported through their distress without discrimination, vilification or being penalised,” he told the New Straits Times.
Dr Andrew said companies should also recognise and tackle workplace harassment, and look out for tell-tale signs like excessive alcohol use, substance abuse, irritability and absenteeism, which could indicate a brewing or underlying psychological problem.
Health Ministry’s Mental Health Unit head and public health specialist Dr Nurashikin Ibrahim said employers should ensure the availability of stress management resources, including online information, counselling and referral to mental health professionals,
“They must also establish workplace stress management programmes to combat the problem.”
On ways to cope with workplace stress, Dr Nurashikin said employees should track their stressors by keeping a journal, practise a healthy lifestyle, and establish work-life boundaries.
“Keep a journal for a week or two to identify which situations create the most stress and how you respond to them.
“Record your thoughts, feelings and information about the environment, including the people and circumstances involved, the physical setting and how you reacted.
“Instead of attempting to fight stress with fast food or alcohol, do your best to make healthy choices when you feel the tension rise.
“Simple exercises are a great stress-buster,” Dr Nurashikin said.
“In today’s digital world, it is easy to feel pressured to be available 24 hours a day.
“Make it a habit not to check the email at home in the evening, or not answering the phone during dinner.
“Creating some clear boundaries between these realms can reduce the potential for work-life conflict and the stress that goes with it.”
She also advised employees to take some time off from work to recharge, relax, have a conversation with your supervisors, and get some support from experts.
“To avoid the negative effects of chronic stress and burnout, we need time to replenish.
“Relax and unwind, so you come back to work feeling reinvigorated and ready to perform at your best or get a quick boost by turning off your smartphone and focusing your attention on non-work activities for a while.
“Techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises and mindfulness (a state in which you actively observe present experiences and thoughts without judging them), can help melt away stress.
“Start by taking a few minutes each day to focus on a simple activity like breathing, walking or enjoying a meal.
“Talk to your supervisor to come up with an effective plan for managing the stressors you have identified, so that you can perform at your best on the job.
“Ands if you continue to feel overwhelmed by work stress, you may want to talk to a psychologist, who can help you better manage stress and change unhealthy behaviour,” she said.