Managing Workload and Job Stress In Facilities Management
Facilities management can be a very demanding job. More demanding than many people realise. It’s a sector that runs on tight deadlines and budget constraints. And, as if that wasn’t stressful enough, unexpected maintenance issues can crop up at any time.
A certain amount of stress is to be expected. However, there are facilities managers all over the country who will be able to tell you about occasions, or entire years, when the stress threatened to overwhelm. Significant stress can impact the health and productivity of workers, which is never ok.
But there's a silver lining- workload can be better managed and stress avoided. Don’t worry, we’re not about to tell you to take a deep breath or close your eyes and picture a kitten.
In this article, we'll delve into the stressors in facilities management and we'll suggest practical steps that can be taken to better manage workload.
Understanding The Source of Your Stress
Emergency response, asset management and energy efficiency teams can all fall under the umbrella term ‘Facilities Management.’
Each of these areas comes with its own specific set of stressors. For example, emergency response requires quick decision-making under extreme pressure. Asset management involves keeping track of a complex network of items, which can be overwhelming.
And, in an age where energy efficiency is high on the agenda, facilities managers may need to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies. This can be challenging, especially when resources are limited.
Here, we are talking in general terms about facilities management, but it’s important for any worker to think carefully about what the main sources of stress are in their environment. Understanding the causes of stress is the first step!
The Impact of Stress on Facilities Management Professionals
Stress can have a significant impact on facilities management professionals. It can negatively affect their health and productivity. High stress levels can lead to burnout, absenteeism, and decreased job satisfaction.
Environmental stressors, such as poor indoor air quality, can also affect well-being. These factors can contribute to a high employee turnover rate. Understanding this impact can help companies develop better retention strategies.
Investing in stress reduction measures is not just beneficial for employees. It can also lead to long-term cost savings for the organisation.
Common Management Challenges in Facilities
Keeping Up With Technology
Keeping up with technology can be a help, a hindrance, or both. On the one hand, technology is the only way to manage facilities in 2024. Holding on to paper records or relying heavily on knowledgeable members of staff is an approach that will ultimately fail in the face of growth. However, keeping up with tech and implementing new technologies can be extremely stressful, particularly when tech partners have poor or non-existent support.
Managing The Workforce
Managing a diverse workforce is another challenge. It requires effective communication and leadership skills, both of which are difficult to muster whilst juggling operational issues.
Compliance With Regulations
Ensuring regulatory compliance is also a significant task. It involves understanding and adhering to various laws and regulations.
Of course, there are a multitude of other challenges, many of which are very specific to the industry. However, the above give a good overview of the common challenges that nearly all facility managers face. So, what strategies and tools can help to manage them?
Strategies for Stress Reduction in Facilities Management
Clear Communication
50% of employees report that poor communication is a major contribution to workplace stress. It’s not difficult to see why. How many workplace blunders can be traced back to a misunderstood or poorly communicated instruction? Taking the time to make sure that everyone involved in your facilities management team is pulling in the same direction is a great way to reduce workplace stress.
Task Prioritisation and Delegation
A common issue in facilities and beyond is for managers to become bottlenecks, which causes stress to all involved. Identifying opportunities to delegate and prioritise is a skill in itself, and one that many stressed out workers don’t value highly enough!
The Role of Telematics in Alleviating Stress
Telematics can make a massive difference in facilities management. Through the provision of real-time data and analytics, managers can make better decisions, which is a surefire route to reducing stress!
Unforeseen maintenance issues can be disastrous in facilities management and telematics can really help to avoid this. It can also enhance asset tracking, which is central to facilities management.
Telematics can also reduce the need for costly, time consuming safety protocols by automating essential compliance procedures.
And that’s not all
Here are some other approaches to stress-reduction with links to relevant articles:
Adopting a proactive approach to maintenance
Building a supportive work culture
Embracing Change for a Healthier Work Environment
Managing stress in the facilities management sector is a health-issue, but it’s also a productivity issue. Stressed workers are not efficient long-term, neither are sick workers! But with a proactive approach, effective communication, and the right tools, it’s certainly possible to reduce stress in the facilities management.
