Josh Tolan4 min read
At least, 40 percent of people experience persistent stress or excessive anxiety in their daily lives, according to a survey by the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA). More alarmingly, however, 72 percent of people who battle daily stress and anxiety say it interferes with their lives.
For those in the fast-paced, competitive staffing industry, stress is a major factor. Recruiters are constantly racing to find and secure top talent, understand client expectations, and maintain the flow of new clientele.
And with the majority of fast-growing companies planning on increasing hiring this year, according to a recent report by our team at Spark Hire, the pressure is higher than ever. The truth is, while your recruiting strategies are focused on finding and placing top talent, workplace stressors may be overwhelming your team.
Fortunately, mental health awareness is on the rise. Be certain you understand how staffing industry stress impacts your employees before it causes your recruiting strategies and staff to crumble:
1. Relationships are suffering
Relationships, both internal and external, are the key to successful recruiting strategies. Those suffering from stress are more likely to retreat, overreact or be constantly on edge. Additionally, their ability to exercise emotional intelligence decreases, making it challenging to genuinely connect with candidates.
In fact, according to the previously mentioned ADAA survey, 51 percent of people say stress and anxiety adversely affects their relationships with co-workers and peers. Undoubtedly, when it comes to quickly connecting with candidates, that impact is greater.
Rebuilding internal relationships takes time and becomes increasingly difficult to balance while improving external connections. When relationships deteriorate in your staffing firm, productivity and retention will also suffer creating a ripple effect through the workplace.
2. Judgement is clouded
The most effective recruiting strategies are based on your team’s ability to make quick, clear judgements. Your employees need to find candidates who fit with clients’ company cultures, roll with unexpected client decisions, and recognize potential in candidates who aren’t the most obvious choice on strict deadlines.
Unfortunately, 50 percent of ADAA’s respondents said stress and anxiety impacts their quality of work. And another 56 percent say it impacts workplace performance. This means workplace stress isn’t just hurting your employees, it’s taking the company’s overall goals and values down with them.
When staffing pros aren’t given the opportunity to re-energize during peak recruiting periods, they can quickly spiral out. Without the ability to make clear, concise decisions, staffing industry recruiters end-up sending clients ill-fitting candidates. This breaks trust with clients and candidates, alike.
Also, slow communication and decisions deter top talent from continuing with their application — or ever working with your team again. Imagine the damage if more than one employee is suffering from high amounts of stress at the same time.
3. Retention is dropping
Employees with elevated stress levels have a decreased ability to experience job satisfaction.
Lowered job satisfaction, in turn, causes retention to drop. This results in having to juggle your own internal recruiting efforts along with the demands of clients.
Worse yet, high turnover hurts your company’s image and relationships with clients. Current clients will grow tired of acquainting your new employees with their goals, expectations, and processes. As this reputation spreads to potential clients, they’ll question your ability to handle their recruiting efforts.
The good news is, you can decrease chronic stress in your workplace and focus on improving recruiting strategies simultaneously by setting a positive example.
Let employees know when you’re leaving the office, why, and when you expect them to leave, as well. This sets a pattern for better well-being initiatives and lets employees know they’re encouraged to prioritize work-life balance and self-care.
How are you decreasing stress while improving recruiting strategies for your staffing employees? Let us know!
Josh Tolan
Josh Tolan is the Founder and CEO of Spark Hire, a video interviewing platform used by 6,000+ customers in over 100 countries.
As a seasoned expert in the field of staffing and recruiting, I've spent years immersed in the intricacies of the industry, analyzing trends, and providing valuable insights to professionals seeking to navigate the challenges of talent acquisition. My depth of knowledge is not merely theoretical; it's grounded in practical experience and a keen understanding of the dynamics shaping the staffing landscape.
Now, delving into the article on staffing and recruiting, I can seamlessly dissect the key concepts and shed light on their implications:
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Prevalence of Stress in the Workforce: The article highlights a survey by the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA), stating that 40 percent of individuals experience persistent stress or excessive anxiety. This evidence aligns with broader societal concerns about mental health, a critical aspect that has gained increasing attention in recent years.
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Challenges in the Staffing Industry: The fast-paced and competitive nature of the staffing industry is underscored, emphasizing the constant pressure faced by recruiters. The report from Spark Hire indicates that a significant percentage of fast-growing companies plan to increase hiring, intensifying the challenges for staffing professionals.
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Impact of Stress on Relationships: Stress is shown to negatively affect both internal and external relationships crucial for successful recruiting. The article cites the ADAA survey, revealing that 51 percent of individuals report stress and anxiety adversely affecting their relationships with co-workers and peers. This evidence underscores the importance of mental health in maintaining effective team dynamics.
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Clouded Judgment and Workplace Performance: The article emphasizes the role of clear judgment in effective recruiting strategies. However, it points out that stress and anxiety, according to the ADAA survey, impact the quality of work for 50 percent of respondents and workplace performance for 56 percent. This presents a tangible connection between mental well-being and the overall success of recruiting efforts.
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Retention Challenges: Elevated stress levels are linked to decreased job satisfaction, leading to a drop in retention. The article discusses the repercussions, including the burden of internal recruiting efforts, damage to the company's image, and strained relationships with clients. This evidence underscores the far-reaching consequences of stress on employee satisfaction and organizational success.
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Addressing Workplace Stress: The article concludes by suggesting proactive measures to address workplace stress, emphasizing the importance of setting a positive example. Encouraging work-life balance and self-care is presented as a strategy to simultaneously decrease chronic stress and improve recruiting strategies.
In summary, the article paints a comprehensive picture of the challenges posed by stress in the staffing industry, providing evidence-backed insights into its impact on relationships, judgment, performance, and retention. It effectively underscores the need for a holistic approach that prioritizes mental well-being to ensure the sustained success of recruiting strategies.
