Stress is one of the biggest health issues plaguing millions ofAmericans across in the country. According to a recent study from Aon Hewett which surveyedmore than 2,800 employees, nearly half of respondents said theirstress levels were high or overwhelming.

The survey also found that most stress is work-related, withfour out of the top five causes of stress pertaining to job-relatedissues such as work changes, scheduling, relationships and jobperformance.

Stress can be destructive. With anxiety being a major contributing factor to otherhealth problems, the overall well-being of employeesis at risk if they are under too much pressure and studies haveshown that job performance suffers. 51 percent of employees saidthey were less productive at work as a result of stress and morethan half of the 550 million working days lost each year due toabsenteeism were stress-related. Health care expenses were alsoimpacted, as expenses were nearly 50 percent higher for workers whocited being under high levels of stress.

“Employees are increasingly feeling stressed by work-relatedpressures and this can often be destructive to health, productivityand performance,” said Kathleen Mahiew, leader of behavioral healthconsulting at Aon Hewett.

In recent years, more and more employers have implemented stressmanagement programs. Although the number of programs in the UnitedStates is up 22 percent from 2010, only 3 percent of employees saidthey actually participate.

In order to manage employee stress and promote a healthylifestyle and work environment, Aon Hewitt has compiled athree-step technique that agency managers can use to establish aworkplace that is aware and supportive of employees' needsregarding stress. Agency employees will not only be happier, butagency managers will also benefit from the company's boostedmorale.

Click through the following slides to find out more.

1. Investigate the Causes of Stress and PotentialSolutions

Employers must recognize that stress does not come from theworkplace alone. Outside stresses must be taken into account asfamily strains and other external factors can contribute to higherstress in the workplace, especially when combined with long hoursand other work-related pressures.

Aon Hewitt suggests that employers gather feedback throughsurveys and focus groups in order to better understand the rootcauses of stress. Awareness of stress triggers both in and outsidethe workplace can help employers develop more comprehensivesolutions for stress management that suit the needs of employees.

2. Encourage Employees to Take Advantage of StressReduction Resources

According to Aon Hewitt, employers should support employees intaking advantage of stress management programs offered by thecompany. Existing resources such as employee assistance programsand work life services can assist in relieving stress.

Initiatives that boost morale and encourage relaxation orphysical activity are also effective for lowering employee stresslevels. Aon suggests programs such as a “bring your pet to workday,” a scheduled work space clean-up day and meditation techniquesfor relaxation in order to help employees manage their stress inthe work environment.

3. Promote Emotional Well-Being

According to the survey data, only 35 percent of employeesbelieve their employer encourages them to take vacation time andonly a quarter say that their employer supports flexible workarrangements.

Aon suggests that employers should encourage employees to takevacation and provide flexible hours for as many positions aspossible. Employees that are well-rested and have lower levels ofstress will ultimately perform better in the workplace.

Businesses can also support activities that promote camaraderieamong employees and promote physical activity. Community walk/runevents, company team-sports, and community volunteer plans are justsome of the ways in which employers can help bring their employeestogether while assisting in stress management.

The implementation of healthy stress management techniques and astrong emphasis on communication can benefit employers andemployees. Employees who can manage their stress will performbetter in the workplace, allowing the employers to reap thebenefits of a balanced and healthful work environment.