From Stress to De-stress: Top Techniques for Frontline Heroes

Frontline workers—the unsung heroes who tirelessly serve our communities—are the backbone of our society. Often involved in essential or public services, they work under challenging and stressful conditions. Burnout among frontline workers is quite common and can manifest in several ways. Healthcare professionals, delivery personnel, public health workers, emergency responders, grocery store employees, utility workers, and others can end up feeling overwhelmed and stressed due to heavy workloads and inadequate staffing.

4 Ways to Combat Stress

The emotional, physical, and mental well-being of these workers is essential and should be of utmost importance. This blog addresses some common techniques to alleviate stress and burnout among frontline workers.

Here are four effective techniques to address and alleviate the stress levels of frontline workers.

1. Address Silent Burnout

Silent burnout occurs when employees feel undervalued and unsupported in their roles, with many reluctant to ask their employer for help. This leads to them checking out before many employers even realize there is a problem. To address this dramatic decline in frontline employee engagement, HR leaders need to:

• Communicate: Foster an environment where open communication is encouraged and made easy and accessible for those working remotely. While technology can help facilitate two-way communication through messaging systems, smartphone apps, texting, and email, managers must remember that content is king and deliver meaningful communication that resonates with the individual.

• Recognize: Put in place programs that recognize the hard work and dedication of your front line staff. These initiatives should provide tangible recognition, rewards, and benefits that go beyond lip service.

• Spot trends: Be on the lookout for physical signs such as anxiety, apathy, loss of interest in work, lack of concentration, etc. Mental signs, such as loss of motivation and confidence or relationship problems, can be red flags: spotting trends and identifying potential silent burnout early can help prevent it in the first place.

  2. Combat Understaffing

Beyond the roll-up-your-sleeves approach, leaders must take responsibility for communicating with team members to prioritize tasks and focus on the elements that will successfully move the business forward while understaffed.

Introduce the option to keep some shifts open and flexible, giving employees more ownership over scheduling. Introduce a flexible leave policy—e.g., make it easier to take time off for medical appointments and mental health days. This is likely to have a positive impact, helping to improve productivity and engagement while reducing absenteeism.

        3. Prioritize Work-life Balance

An effective way to demonstrate your commitment to employee well-being is to develop and implement policies that prioritize work-life balance for frontline managers. This includes everything from providing adequate paid time-offs to access to mental health resources and support for seamlessly integrating work and personal life. 

In addition, effective training and development programs can equip frontline workers with the skills and knowledge they need to perform their roles confidently and efficiently, helping them feel more comfortable in their roles and reduce the pressure and stress associated with their work.

    4. Create an Oasis of Respite

Provide, even for short periods, easy and convenient access to nature. It is a low-cost, high-reward intervention that can have a measurable impact on stress reduction and well-being. 

Proactive exposure and immersion in nature, especially in healthcare settings, can be very beneficial for staff, patients, and families. Three to five minutes of glimpses of lush greenery, flowers, or water can reduce anger, anxiety, and pain and help relax.

Engage with and Support Your Frontline Teams

The reality is so stark that frontline workers have been likened to working in a war zone where they are "constantly facing the wrath of angry customers," apart from being tasked with delivering the best service. Yet when it comes to the future of work, the former is often less talked about. It's time for organizations to make stress management a priority for this part of the workforce, to help them do their jobs and be healthy and happy.