Despite already being a highly competitive business environment with long working hours, independent research commissioned by specialised recruiter Robert Half has found 76 percent of Singaporean CFOs expect stress levels of their finance staff to increase over the next three years.

When asked what are the main causes of growing stress levels in the workplace, Singaporean CFOs cited increased workloads (56%), increased business expectations (54%), shorter deadlines (40%) and a competitive marketplace (38%).

Matthieu Imbert-Bouchard, Managing Director of Robert Half Singapore said: “Singapore has a global reputation for business excellence, with finance professionals working in a highly competitive marketplace. Yet long working hours, higher workloads combined with shorter deadlines and increased business expectations can cause stress levels to rise among Singapore workforce. It’s vital for the city-state’s bosses to not only recognise growing stress levels within their workspaces, but also to actively address it.”

“Stress is a drain not only on an employee’s wellbeing but also on the organisation. Employees who are burned out or chronically frustrated and stressed, are more prone to illness and absenteeism, and generally show signs of decreased morale which all negatively impact business productivity – hence company success.”

In an attempt to effectively manage workplace stress, the overwhelming majority (94 percent) of Singaporean CFOs are taking measures specifically designed to reduce stress in the workspace.

More than half (55 percent) are respectively encouraging staff to give regular feedback to management and offering flexible working hours or remote work opportunities. Just over half (51 percent) are redesigning the office space to facilitate better productivity and promote a more efficient working environment and more than four in 10 (42 percent) are hosting regular social team activities.

See: Revealing the Key Priorities of Singaporean CFOs in 2017

“Singaporean companies are proactively implementing a combination of measures in order to reduce workplace stress, ranging from adjusting their infrastructure, amending their workplace culture by increasingly allowing flexible work schedules and adjusting their staffing policies such that temporary staff can assist existing employees during hectic periods on the business calendar. Employers understand the importance of employee wellbeing, as these measures are gradually becoming more common practice in Singaporean organisations.”

“By combatting workplace stress, companies can foster an engaging and productive workplace culture, which can positively affect the company’s bottom line,” Matthieu Imbert-Bouchard concluded.

8 steps for employers to reduce or prevent workplace stress

1. Motivate and reward employees: Don’t hold back on praise for a job well done. Feeling appreciated in the workplace can further motivate staff which in turn can reduce workload pressure.
2. Listen to employees:Make sure there are open lines of communication for staff to discuss what is causing them stress, then deliberate on how to reduce workplace stress and implement action plans for improvement such that stressful situations can be managed better.
3. Address issues while they’re fresh:Workplace conflicts and stressful situations rarely go away on their own. Reach out to co-workers who may be demonstrating signs of stress and tension, and work through the issues together.
4. Be proactive with planning:Map out day-to-day operations and new initiatives to let employees anticipate challenges and organise their workflow more efficiently so potential stressful situations can be avoided.
5. Assess training and technology needs:Look for changes that could make internal processes more efficient, such as automating manual procedures or upgrading computers. Spending less time on manual processes and more time on value-adding projects can make the job more rewarding.
6. Revisit your corporate culture:Employees should feel respected and rewarded for their work. Consider if your corporate culture focuses on commitment to success and employee wellbeing, or if it promotes a culture of embedded pressure and stress.
7. Take a break:Consider thanking your team with a few stress-reducing perks, like a professional neck massage at the desk.
8. Demonstrate a commitment to work-life balance: Create work-life balance opportunities by embracing a variety of options such as flexible work hours and remote work opportunities.

Also read: Businesses in Singapore Say Skills Shortage is Stifling Innovation and Revenue