Managing the Stress of Change at Work
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
From
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Job Security
Traditional approaches
Managers solving
problems
Stable work environment
Systems and procedures
Narrow job description
To
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Multiple career changes
Innovation
Input from all levels
Fast-paced, changing
environment
Strategies and innovations
Flexible, multi-skilled jobs
Change may include the following responses:
Denial
Resistance
Isolation
Sadness, Irritability, Anxiety &
Detachment
 Interpersonal Conflict &
Communication Problems
 Insecurity & Loss of Control
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The changing workplace
Trends in today’s workplace
Impact of workplace changes
Change involves loss and
opportunities
 Reacting or responding
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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
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“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
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Loss of the Known and Tried
Loss of Control
Loss of Structure
Loss of Future
Loss of Attachments
Loss of Turf
Loss of Meaning
Promotes new ways of thinking
 Breaks monotony
 New opportunities
 Allows best employees to shine
 Personal growth
 Flexibility
 Promotes improvement
 Reconsider life values
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OUTSIDE MY CONTROL
WITHIN MY CONTROL
1.
The organization’s decision to
initiate changes
1.
My attitude
2.
My thoughts
2.
A downturn in the economy
3.
My actions
3.
4.
My skills
Economic changes that affect the
organization
4.
5.
Skills I choose to develop
Intense competition affecting the
organization
5.
Technological changes which
eliminate certain job tasks and
functions
Within my control
Outside of my control
i.e. spending time with
people I care about
i.e. serious illness in family
i.e. what to wear today
i.e. traffic jam
Many stressors will overwhelm a
scanty support system
A strong support network provides strength
during times of heavy stress
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Input
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Support
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Plan
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Communication
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Limitations
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Self-care
 Take
advantage of
OPPORTUNITIES
 Establish
short term
GOALS to minimize
uncertainty and provide
some level of control
 TALK
about what is
happening
 What
major changes am I coping with right now?
 Where
 What
am I in the transition process?
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?
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Change involves loss
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Change creates stress
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Change provides opportunities
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Changes can create or accentuate self-doubt
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Most growth occurs during times of significant change
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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
Elizabeth Robinson,
Manager
robinson@nso.uchc.edu
or call 860-679-2877
Ct toll free: 800-852-4392