Exercise 1: Following is a writer's initial brainstormed list for a report on stress in the workplace. Revise the brainstormed list, eliminating repetition and combining related items. You may use this form-just review the suggestions, thencross out what's unnecessary and/or can be combined; you don't have to retype it.
• Leads to absenteeism
• High costs for compensation for stress-related illnesses
• Proper nutrition
• Numerous stress-reduction techniques
• Good idea to conduct interviews to find to find out levels, causes, and extent of stress in the workplace
• Low morale caused by stress
• Higher insurance claims for employees' physical ailments
• Myth to see stress leading to greater productivity
• Various tapes used to teach relaxation
• Environmental factors-too hot? Too cold?
• Teamwork intensifies stress
• Counseling
• Work overload
• Setting priorities
• Wellness campaign
• Savings per employee add up to $6,150 per year (hint-be sure to use this fact)
• Skills to relax
• Learning to get along with co-workers
• Need for privacy
• Interpersonal communication
• Employees' need for clear policies on transfers, promotions
• Stress-management workshops very successful in California
• Physical activity to relieve stress
• Affects management
• Breathing exercises
Exercise 2: Write an outline (here are some examples:
Prepare a suitable typedoutline from your revised list in Exercise 1 for a report to a decision-maker on the problems of stress in the workplace and the necessity of creating a stress-management program.Please make sure it is double-spaced.You do not have to write the memo itself, just the outline of how you would do it based on the revised brainstorming list from Exercise 1.