One of the most dreaded phrases in senior care today is “We’re working short-staffed… again!”, especially when these words are uttered at the beginning of someone’s shift. Working with fewer employees can create not only inconvenience for the staff who did show up to work, but it can also create a lot of stress, anxiety and bitter feelings. Despite this, there are ways to manage stress and still have a good day at work.
The Dark Side of Staff Shortages
Some health care staff may not think about the unseen consequences of calling off. They may know that it causes problems with the staff on shift, but may not think about how difficult it is for staff to pick up their work, try to provide all of the extras for residents, and experience feelings of being overwhelmed. Negative care outcomes for the resident, including longer wait times for care, and not to mention more mistakes occurring during staff shortages, may also be out of mind when calling off. When word gets out into the community that a facility experiences frequent call-offs, its reputation can be damaged, and recruiting good employees becomes even more difficult.
How to Manage Stress When the Call-Offs Come In
Leadership, including managers, supervisors, and lead Aides can make all the difference in managing, reducing or even eliminating stress during staff shortages. Crystal clear communication is key when letting the staff know there have been some call-offs. A good team knows that sometimes they may work even better when the employee who called off isn’t there!
Another tool in the leader’s toolbox is to praise the employees who did show up and thank them frequently and genuinely throughout the shift. Thanking staff provides good energy and motivation to do a good job, regardless of working short-handed.
Leaders can also jump in and get their hands dirty alongside their team. Employees who see their leader “walking the talk” are even more likely to do their best without complaining. And, when leaders are on the floor, they can monitor their staff’s energy levels and remind them to take a break when it’s time to.
Final Thoughts on Managing Stress During Staff Shortages
Senior care comes with many challenges and working short staffed is one of the most common issues that leaders deal with on a routine basis. While this can cause a lot of stress among employees, there are simple things leaders can do to minimize stress. First, be honest about the situation, second, thank those who have shown up on their shift, and third, jump in and work side-by-side with the team. These interventions can not only reduce stress, but motivate staff to be a better team member.