Tips for leaders

The following elements will assist in minimising stress in your team:

Improve communication

Being open and always available to your team is a crucial preventative step when it comes to stress.

Tips for leaders

• Share information with employees to reduce uncertainty about their jobs and futures.
• Clearly define employees’ roles and responsibilities.
• Make communication friendly and efficient, not mean-spirited or petty.

Consult your employees

Showing your team a high level of respect starts with hearing their opinions and being honest with each other.

Tips for leaders

• Give employees opportunities to participate in decisions that affect their jobs.
• Consult employees about scheduling and work rules.
• Be sure the workload is suitable to employees’ abilities and resources; avoid unrealistic deadlines.

Show that individual workers are valued

Sincere, personal praise and encouragement will improve relationships in the team and make all feel comfortable.

Tips for leaders

• Praise good work performance.
• Provide opportunities for career development.
• Encourage input into decision-making processes

Cultivate a friendly social climate

Take the time to build friendships within your team and develop a support network for each other.

Tips for leaders

• Provide opportunities for social interaction among employees.
• Establish a zero-tolerance policy for harassment.
• Make management actions consistent with organizational values.
• Create and foster a supportive and inclusive work environment
• Be aware of the early signs of disengagement or a potential issue arising in the work environment
• Ensure all employees are aware of and have access to information in relation to how they can contribute to the positive work environment
• Be aware of available support networks and encourage the employee to use these networks actively
• Create and maintain a supportive, flexible and inclusive workplace - particularly when personal changes, illness or crises occur to individual employees

Flexible conditions

Flexible workplace arrangements can assist with maintaining the health of your team.

Tips for leaders

• Refer to the Grid's Flexible Working page for detailed information
• Think creatively about how you can use employment terms and conditions flexibly to maximise the contribution of your employees
• Actively support your employees in accessing the flexibilities available

Transitioning through

This involves the management of individuals through the workplace (for example introducing new technology, restructuring) or individual changes for example, redeployment.

Tips for leaders

• Continue to foster a supportive and inclusive work environment, particularly through change processes
• Ensure your capability and understanding of effective change management  (AGL uses PCI methodology
• Actively understand why individuals leave your organisation and be prepared to make changes where those reasons are for issues relating to your workplace
• Get People and Culture Business Partners involved early in any change process
• Access the EAP Manger Hotline or your People and Culture Business Partner if you are needing support 

More on keeping your team well

• What is mental health?
• What is workplace stress?
• What is mental illness?
• Dealing with mental illness
• Myths around mental illness