Employees and management may differ on what constitutes an acceptable level of stress on the job. An employee can and should take personal responsibility for reducing stress levels. Individual strategies that have proven effective include physical exercise, relaxation techniques, and social support networks. Many people manage their time poorly. Time management skills can help minimize procrastination by focusing efforts on immediate goals and boosting motivation even in the face of tasks that are less enjoyable.

Several organizational factors that cause stress can be controlled by management. Improved training, goal setting, organizational communication, employee involvement and corporate wellness programs may all contribute. Individuals perform better when they have specific and challenging goals and receive feedback on their progress toward these goals. Goals can reduce stress as well as provide motivation. Redesigning jobs to give employees more responsibility, more meaningful work, more autonomy, and increased feedback can reduce stress because these factors give employees greater control over work activities.

Increasing formal organizational communication with employees reduces uncertainty by lessening role ambiguity and role conflict. Organizationally supported wellness programs focus on the employee’s total physical and mental condition. These typically provide workshops to help employees improve their physical and psychological health. Most firms that have introduced wellness programs have found significant benefits.