Dealing with Work Overload: Coping when Coworkers are Away
Getting Away: Strategies for Preventing Disagreements, Tension, and Anxiety Among Teams on Vacation
Hamburg/Konstanz - Ready for some R&R? While it may signal relaxation for those leaving the office, it often means additional workload and stress for those left behind. Here's a handy guide to managing those pressures:
1. Plan Ahead and Set Priorities
Teresa Stockmeyer, a consultant for team development in Hamburg, recommends prioritizing tasks and projects beforehand. “Sit down and decide which tasks need immediate attention due to deadlines, which can wait, and which can be divided among team members,” she suggests.
To ensure everyone is on the same page, establish fixed rules for subs. Emphasize mutual support and be transparent about responsibilities. A daily check-in with your team can help share feelings, workload, and exchange ideas on priorities.
Communicate potential delays to customers and business partners in advance to alleviate pressure. According to Fabian Krapf, Managing Partner at IFBG (formerly: Institute for Occupational Health Consulting), this usually is met with understanding.
2. Encourage Recognition and Humor
Recognizing the efforts of those who stay behind is essential in preventing overload and frustration during thin staffing. Simple gestures such as flexible working hours, home office options, or a shared thank-you after a stressful period can make a big difference.
Acknowledging hard work and fostering a positive team spirit strengthens resilience during stressful times. “Calmness, humor, and shared lunch breaks can create a positive atmosphere,” says Teresa Stockmeyer.
3. Take Care of Yourself
Time to practice some self-care. Be mindful of your limits, build recovery phases into your daily routine, and remember to eat well, stay hydrated, rest, and get enough sleep. It may sound simple, but these essentials are often overlooked during busy periods.
4. Talk Openly with Management
If you feel swamped with work while covering for a colleague, don't hesitate to share your concerns with your manager. “Open, clear, respectful, and solution-oriented communication is crucial,” says Fabian Krapf. Be specific, offer potential solutions, and aim for a constructive dialogue.
5. Manage Your Expectations
During busy periods, it's essential to reflect on what matters and what tasks can wait. Creating a ‘Not-To-Do’ list can help focus on priority tasks and relieve pressure. Embrace the idea that not everything will run as smoothly with a shorthanded team.
By following these practices, you'll be better able to manage stress and maintain a positive outlook in a thinly staffed workforce.
- To enhance workplace-wellness and lifestyle during work overload, consider integrating home-and-garden practices into your routines, such as taking short breaks to tend to plants or practicing mindfulness routines at home.
- Incorporate science into your approach of managing work overload by researching evidence-based strategies for stress management and productivity in the context of health-and-wellness.
- Build a culture of service within your team by offering wellness services, such as yoga sessions, meditation classes, or even massages, to help promote relaxation and reduced stress levels among everyone in the workplace.
