Stress in the workplace(work-related stress) has now become one of the most discussed issues in the world of work.

For example, many workers experience fatigue, a sense of exhaustion and feel worn down by negative emotions due to their work activities.

However, the employer in the face of these inconveniences can put company plans in place to benefit the welfare of its employees.

Let’s see together what corporate welfare is and what it is all about.

What is corporate welfare and what is it all about?

Corporate welfare is the set of all those actions and initiatives aimed at improving the worker’s quality of life, hence his or her well-being.

There are several actions and plans that can be taken that relate to corporate welfare aimed at protecting the welfare of workers and improving the environment in which they work.

For example:

– examine the work environment: working in a peaceful atmosphere will only enable better work performance by employees and greater employee satisfaction;

– having an occupational psychologist within the company: this figure is important for the purpose of protecting the well-being of workers because he or she acts as a support for the entire organization;

– study possible forms of company benefits such as rewards, incentives, company recognition;

– corporate team coaching: it means grouping the working team in order to achieve the same end goal by strengthening everyone’s potential and skills;

– team building: consists of carrying out group activities aimed at acquaintance and trust among team members through which involvement and harmony emerge within the working group.

Burnout syndrome

As we all know, stress in the workplace can bring various negative emotions to the employee who may experience, for example, emotional exhaustion and fatigue to the point of becoming a full-blown syndrome called “burnout syndrome.”

Burnout syndrome (which literally means “burned out,” “exhausted,” “burst”) is a real disease and is caused by chronic workplace-related stress.

The worker feels the depletion of his or her mental and physical energy by experiencing, for example, irritability, decreased motivation, and lack of interest.

So what may seem like a passing phase of low motivation may instead lead the worker to manifest feelings of hostility and apathy toward coworkers and work, to the point of losing control of stress altogether.

Implementing corporate welfare measures in good time can avoid these bad consequences for employees, which will reflexively affect the company.

Business risks

The employer according to Legislative Decree 81/2008 is required to monitor the level of work-related stress of each of its employees and protect the health of each.

Work-related stress results in reduced productivity and demotivation in the face of the worker’s work activity.

The company will have negative consequences that will cause the employer to face various risks:

– increased absenteeism;

– resignation;

– increased turn-over, thus staff turnover;

– Decreased productivity of the company;

– poor quality of service provided;

– increased costs.

Useful tips for the employer

In order for the company to have a “healthy climate” and for employees to be satisfied and happy to work, the importance of certain things should not be underestimated:

– taking care of employee welfare: for example, good work organization and proper working hours, or new company benefits can certainly contribute to employee welfare;

– take care of communication: communicating with employees and listening to any requests they may have can definitely create better working relationships;

– take care of corporate welfare measures: the “happiness” and well-being of employees will affect the company itself in the form of productivity;

– facilitate the inclusion of an occupational psychologist or, failing that, create psychological support (including online): having a psychologist in the company is of great help to employees who will feel supported in dealing with their problems.