What are some signs that indicate a colleague is struggling to manage their stress levels or emotional well being?
Signs that a work colleague needs help
looking tired and seeming stressed. having trouble concentrating, making decisions and managing multiple tasks. being unusually emotional and getting frustrated with people. avoiding social activities.
Behaviors like irritability, fatigue and absenteeism can be signs that a colleague is facing a challenge. Changes in behavior might indicate that they are going through a tough time or that they may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. Have a conversation.
What are three signs or symptoms of work based stress that someone might display?
Work-related stress is on the rise and can include these 5 signs: a sense of dread; a lack of motivation which can affect performance; increased physical and mental sensitivity including sensitivity to pain; feelings of self-doubt or paranoia; and lastly, relationships with work colleagues being affected.
What would you do if a colleague is struggling with their tasks or work?
Start by simply reaching out to them in whatever way makes the most sense. If your teammate seems stressed out with work, stop by their desk and ask if they're okay or if there is anything you can do to help.
How would you handle a situation with a coworker who has poor teamwork skills?
Start a dialogue
Approach your colleague with friendly questions, rather than accusations. Even if you aren't in a leadership position on the team, “consider this a good opportunity to practice your leadership skills,” says David.
How will you handle a team member who is not contributing appropriately?
Start by having an open and honest conversation, providing constructive feedback, and offering support or additional training if needed. Set clear expectations, establish performance goals, and monitor progress closely to help the team member improve.
Come to the conversation with proposed solutions that are mutually beneficial, but also ask the employee what they believe will help them improve. Be willing to listen and meet them halfway. For instance, maybe they need more guidance or time on certain tasks. Put forth the extra effort to provide that support.
What would you do if a coworker was not performing well?
Focus on the behaviour not the person. Identify what behaviour is causing the difficulty and ask them what they could do instead. If you feel that they are really not getting the message, try to explain why their behaviour is a problem. So I would like for your reports to arrive on time.
When stress is no longer healthy, it stops being a motivator and it can cause people to become prone to reacting differently to work situations. Too much stress can cause us to become more argumentative or irritable, and can shorten our tempers.
