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765 Managing Workplace Stress
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Steps Towards Prevention

Step 2 - Design and Implement Interventions

Once the sources of stress at work have been identified and the scope of the problem is understood, the stage is set for design and implementation of an intervention strategy.

Image of two managers arguing at desk.
Certain problems, such as a hostile work environment, may be pervasive in the organization and require company-wide interventions.
  • Target source of stress for change.
  • Propose and prioritize intervention strategies.
  • Communicate planned interventions to employees.
  • Implement Interventions.

It's important to target the source and determine the scope of the problem causing stress to develop an appropriate intervention strategy. To develop a effective intervention to the problem, you must determine the scope of the problem. The problem may be specific to an individual, a departments, or existing company-wide.

  • Some problems may be specific to certain employees and resistant to any kind of organizational change, calling instead for stress management or employee assistance interventions.
  • Other problems such as excessive workload may exist only in some departments and thus require more narrow solutions, such as redesign of the way a job is performed.
  • Certain problems, such as a hostile work environment, may be pervasive in the organization and require company-wide interventions.

Interventions will be different as the scope widens. Some interventions might be implemented rapidly (e.g., improved communication, stress management training), but others may require additional time to put into place (e.g., redesign of a manufacturing process).

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

3-10. The effectiveness of an intervention to reduce stress in the workplace depends on determining the _____ of the problem.