Colbe in the News: CEO Bas Tomassen on Workplace Stress in HR Praktijk 
Work-related stress is becoming a serious risk for both employees and organizations, while many SMEs lack the time, knowledge, and practical tools to intervene effectively. In a new article by HR Praktijk, TNO researcher Maartje Bakhuys Roozeboom discusses what HR professionals and managers can do to address this issue. Colbe’s CEO Bas Tomassen also shares his perspective.
“The most powerful remedy for absenteeism and workplace conflicts is helping one another, because it creates a sense of mutual connection and support.”
Tomassen argues that opening up the conversation about these challenges is the most important first step in tackling workplace stress. “The most powerful remedy against absenteeism and workplace conflict is helping one another, because it creates a sense of connection and support.”
He gives the example of a colleague going through a divorce: “If, as an employer and colleagues, you show some flexibility in the first few months and create space for the employee to help stabilize family life and regain a daily and weekly routine, you’ll end up with your most loyal employee.”
Lack of Capacity and Expertise
Bakhuys Roozeboom shares insights from her research. According to her, SME business owners often struggle with how to address workplace stress. “They frequently don’t have the capacity or expertise in-house, and some business owners are not even aware that they should be doing something about it.”
“I also often see that action is only taken once there is an acute trigger (for example, a case of long-term absenteeism), and that little attention is paid to prevention. Yet in the interviews, I noticed that they genuinely want to be good employers and take good care of their staff.”
Read the article here