Managing the Stress of Change at Work Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

1. Managing the Stress of Change at Work Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

2. Evolving Trends • Job Security • Traditional approaches • Managers solving problems • Stable work environment • Systems and procedures • Narrow job description • Multiple career changes • Innovation • Input from all levels • Fast-paced, changing environment • Strategies and innovations • Flexible, multi-skilled jobs From To

3. Impact of Workplace Changes Change may include the following responses: • Denial • Resistance • Isolation • Sadness, Irritability, Anxiety & Detachment • Interpersonal Conflict & Communication Problems • Insecurity & Loss of Control

4. The Stress of Change • The changing workplace • Trends in today’s workplace • Impact of workplace changes • Change involves loss and opportunities • Reacting or responding

5. Change vs. Transition • The change itself is an external event…i.e. today I retired or today I got married • The transition is the internal process one goes through to adjust to the change • Transition involves many phases • People do not typically move in a linear fashion through each phase

6. A Lifetime of Transitions “Who are you?" said the Caterpillar… “I-I hardly know, Sir, just at present,” Alice replied rather shyly, “at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.” Lewis Carroll Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

7. Losses Associated with Change… • Loss of the Known and Tried • Loss of Control • Loss of Structure • Loss of Future • Loss of Attachments • Loss of Turf • Loss of Meaning

8. Opportunities Related to Change • Promotes new ways of thinking • Breaks monotony • New opportunities • Allows best employees to shine • Personal growth • Flexibility • Promotes improvement • Reconsider life values

9. What is your control

10. Important Unimportant

11. Build a Bridge of Support Many stressors will overwhelm a scanty support system A strong support network provides strength during times of heavy stress

12. What You Can Do • Input • Support • Plan • Communication • Limitations • Self-care

13. Setting Goals • Take advantage of OPPORTUNITIES • Establish short term GOALS to minimize uncertainty and provide some level of control • TALK about what is happening

14. Action Plan • What major changes am I coping with right now? • Where am I in the transition process? • What can I do to better manage change/stress? • What things are beyond my control, that I need to work on “letting go” of? • Where can I get the support I need to make these changes?

15. Coping with Change • Change involves loss • Change creates stress • Change provides opportunities • Changes can create or accentuate self-doubt • Most growth occurs during times of significant change • For some people, coping with change requires skills that they may not have • Don’t hesitate to seek our professional help if the stress becomes too difficult to handle

16. For more information, contact… Employee Assistance Program Elizabeth Robinson, Managerrobinson@nso.uchc.eduor call 860-679-2877Ct toll free: 800-852-4392