How to combat workplace anxiety and boost employee performance
VIWELL team
Last updated January 8, 2025
VIWELL helps you elevate your workplace well-being.
In an ideal world, work should be fulfilling and rewarding, but for many employees, it becomes a source of stress and anxiety. For HR managers, business leaders, and CEOs, understanding the impact of workplace anxiety is crucial. Anxiety doesn’t just affect employees’ happiness; it hampers performance, engagement, and productivity, leading to a toxic work environment. Research shows that happy employees are four times more likely to stay in their roles, twice as committed, and 12% more productive. Employee well-being is not just a "nice-to-have"—it’s essential for business success.
What is workplace anxiety?
Workplace anxiety involves feelings of stress, nervousness, and unease related to tasks and interactions at work. This can range from worries about job performance to anxiety over social interactions with colleagues, or even fear of public speaking. Anxiety in the workplace is not a one-size-fits-all issue—it varies from person to person and may occur sporadically or be a constant struggle.
While workplace anxiety is not always easy to spot, its effects can be far-reaching. A happy and well-adjusted workforce is more productive and engaged, whereas anxious employees may suffer from both physical and emotional symptoms that interfere with their ability to contribute effectively.
Common causes of workplace anxiety
Understanding the root causes of workplace anxiety can help you implement more effective solutions. Common contributors include:
Unmanageable Workload
44% of employees report excessive workload as the main cause of stress, leading to burnout and anxiety. (HSE, 2019)
Job Uncertainty
Employees who feel insecure about their job stability or growth opportunities often experience increased anxiety, with half citing lack of advancement as a key stress factor. (APA, 2021)
Underpayment or Lack of Compensation
Underpayment, low salaries, and inadequate compensation contribute to stress and dissatisfaction, with compensation issues being a primary stressor. (SHRM, 2020)
Recognizing these causes allows you to address the underlying issues, reducing the impact of anxiety and fostering a more productive, engaged workforce.
How leaders can address workplace anxiety and boost employee performance
Addressing workplace anxiety requires a proactive, strategic approach by leaders. By implementing the right solutions, you can create a healthier, more productive work environment. Here are some proven strategies that can help:
Foster a positive company culture
A supportive company culture is essential for reducing anxiety and boosting employee well-being. Leaders should focus on creating a culture that prioritizes mental health, open communication, and trust.
Actionable tip: Regularly assess your company culture through employee surveys or feedback sessions to identify areas for improvement.
Offer support and resources for mental health
Supporting employees' mental health should be a priority. Offering resources like Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), such as the one provided by VIWELL, mental health days, or access to counseling services can help employees manage stress and anxiety effectively. These initiatives not only improve overall well-being but also contribute to a more productive and positive work environment.
Actionable tip: Promote available mental health resources regularly to ensure employees are aware of the support available to them.
Implement flexible work arrangements
A flexible work environment can help reduce stress by giving employees more control over their schedules. Whether it’s remote work options, flexible hours, or job sharing, flexibility allows employees to better balance their personal and professional lives, reducing anxiety.
Actionable tip: Survey your employees to determine which flexible work arrangements would benefit them the most.
Improve communication and transparency
Clear communication is key to reducing uncertainty, a major cause of anxiety. Keep employees informed about organizational changes, expectations, and priorities. Transparency helps build trust and reduces stress around the unknown.
Actionable tip: Hold regular team meetings and one-on-ones with employees to ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities.
Recognize and reward employees
Employee recognition plays a significant role in reducing anxiety by making employees feel valued. Recognizing hard work, offering praise, and celebrating achievements all contribute to a positive work environment.
Actionable tip: Implement a formal recognition program where employees can be acknowledged for their contributions and achievements.
Promote employee wellness
Encourage employees to prioritize their physical and mental well-being. This could include offering gym memberships, wellness challenges, or workshops on stress management. A focus on health can help employees build resilience to anxiety.
Actionable tip: Provide wellness programs or partner with wellness companies to give employees tools for managing stress.
Building a long-term strategy to combat workplace anxiety
Workplace anxiety isn’t something that can be fixed overnight. It requires consistent effort, strategic planning, and a commitment to supporting employees. By addressing anxiety proactively, you create a work environment where employees can thrive, leading to better job satisfaction, higher productivity, and improved retention.
Here’s how to build a long-term strategy to reduce workplace anxiety:
Create a comprehensive mental health strategy
Make mental health and well-being a central part of your company’s strategy. This includes offering resources, promoting mental health awareness, and regularly checking in with employees.
Use technology to support well-being
Implement tools like wellness apps or stress management software to track and support employee well-being. For example, VIWELL is an employee well-being app that provides personalized health insights, tracks physical and mental well-being, and offers stress-relief techniques. By incorporating such tools, organizations can empower employees to take charge of their health, reduce burnout, and enhance overall productivity.
Regularly assess the impact
Use surveys, focus groups, or feedback mechanisms to assess the effectiveness of your anxiety-reducing strategies and adjust as needed.
By investing in employee well-being, you invest in your company’s long-term success.
Download our free conversation guide for HR leaders
Ready to take action and reduce workplace anxiety in your organization? Download our free conversation guide designed specifically for HR leaders. This guide will provide you with step-by-step questions and tips to have productive, supportive conversations with your employees, helping you identify and address anxiety and improve performance. Start fostering a positive work environment today!
Workplace anxiety directly impacts employee performance. When employees feel supported and free from excessive stress, they are more productive, engaged, and committed. By creating a supportive, transparent environment, leaders can reduce anxiety and unlock their teams' full potential.
Reducing anxiety not only boosts well-being but also enhances performance, job satisfaction, and retention—key drivers of business success. Happy, healthy employees are engaged employees, and creating a work environment that minimizes anxiety is key to maximizing performance and achieving sustained success. Prioritizing employee mental health is an investment in both your people and your organization’s long-term growth.
