Discussing the importance of stress
ABB is a technology company driving the digital transformation of industries. Country HR manager Antonie Klop attended HumanCapitalCare’s inspiration tables on behalf of ABB. “Our Fit4Future model provides a framework for all our sustainable employability programmes.”
Recently, we organised several inspiration tables with customers during our ‘better stress management’ theme campaign, during which valuable insights were shared on how to prevent or (better) manage stress. This included discussions on identifying signs of stress and the crucial role of managers in this. Many problems can be prevented by making stress a subject of discussion in the workplace. Technology company ABB shared its experiences where they use behavioural objectives to successfully engage with employees. These initiatives came about by engaging in dialogue on a sustainable solution. Because in many cases, stress can be prevented with the right help and support.
Stress as a theme
ABB is an international company in which Antonie Klop is the Country HR manager for the Netherlands. “I have been working here for 11 years. Stress has always been a theme. Stress in itself is not bad, but it becomes an issue when it is prolonged stress. Our absenteeism rate has been around 3.5 percent for years, but after Covid, a third of that is linked to psychological absenteeism. This is not always related to work stress, but also because of private circumstances.”
Annual engagement survey
“The theme of stress in the workplace is reflected in the surveys we conduct,” Klop continues. “Every year we conduct an engagement survey, which includes questions on stress and work-life balance. The score is not low, but not very high either. You can see this in the risk inventory & assessment we carry out at sites and it also popped up during our most recent PMO. When you talk to people there, they say: ‘I'm fine, but it’s busy'. Even though our absenteeism rate is fairly low, we take this issue very seriously.”
Countering stress
ABB considers stress an issue. But how are they trying to counter it? “We have trained our managers on how to recognise stress in employees and how to deal with it.
We also organise workshops under the name ‘are you okay?’. The most important lesson our employees learn there is that they can be themselves and speak freely. We also start a meeting by talking to everyone present: how are they doing? In doing so, we do not force anyone but allow employees to tell their stories.
Sometimes you hear surprising stories and understand better why someone is feeling less comfortable in their skin. These conversations do often take place within the teams, so they remain confidential.
We also have an employee assistance programme that employees can use free of charge; this is a well-being programme that allows employees to make use of a budget coach, mental coaching and health coaching, for example.”
Fit4Future
All activities organised by ABB focus on one umbrella concept: Fit4Future. “This is fully in line with our theme of long-term employability. Both mentally and physically, our employees need to be fit for the future. Besides the activities we offer, we also asked colleagues about their needs. Besides a stop-smoking programme, personal attention emerged as the most important need.”
Steering for behavioural objectives
ABB wants to steer for behavioural objectives. “What we do is talk to people about it, asking them what actions they take when it comes to their long-term employability. How do they handle their work/life balance? And what can a manager do for them? No difficult guidelines, just engaging the conversation. After all, we are all different and one solution does not work for everyone.”
Yet engaging the conversation is not always easy for everyone at ABB. “Most of our people are technicians. Smart people who think in innovative solutions. We try to encourage our managers to have that conversation with their team members. If a manager has not done so, we engage with him or her. We do not impose any measures, but ask why the manager perceived it as difficult.”
ABB during The Inspiration Table
Klop was an inspirer on behalf of ABB during the ‘Better stress management’ Inspiration Table in the south-west region. Annelies ’t Hart, employment and organisation expert at HumanCapitalCare, was moderator during this inspiration table. “Antonie was very engaged and adept during The Inspiration Table. His enthusiasm was an inspiration to other customers in addition to his substantive contribution.” The ‘Better stress management’ Inspiration Table is part of the ‘Better stress management’ theme campaign.
