Introduction
Traffic congestion, accidents, and commuting during peak hours can cause significant stress for employees, impacting not just their punctuality but also their emotional well-being. Managers play a crucial role in mitigating this stress by demonstrating empathy and flexibility with their teams.
The Impact of Traffic on Employees
In Mexico, the average commute time by public transport is 71 minutes, and 51 minutes by private transport, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL). However, only 43% of urban dwellers in Latin America and the Caribbean have convenient access to public transport.
In densely populated areas like Mexico City, traffic incidents are frequent, leading to physical and emotional consequences for employees who feel unsupported by their managers.
Employee commitment to work is heavily influenced by their relationship with managers, as per 70% of those surveyed by Gallup. Without organizational concern for their workforce, employees may experience increased physical tension, aggressive thoughts, and a decline in attitude.
“When you’re constantly under stress, your frontal lobe or prefrontal cortex diminishes, causing you to react poorly,” explains Ivonne Borden, director of Agregando Valor firm.
The Role of Managers
Managerial concern for employees’ well-being is a vital aspect of leadership. Managers can proactively prevent high stress levels within organizations by taking the following actions:
- Show genuine interest: Managers should be aware of their team members’ situations, fostering real connections.
- Inquire about commutes: Managers can ask employees about their travel times and any difficulties faced in reaching the office.
- Implement remote work options: Allowing employees to work from home, even once a week or during predicted disruptions like protests or road closures, can alleviate stress.
- Embrace unpredictability: Recognize that traffic-related issues are beyond anyone’s control and prioritize emotional intelligence in handling such situations.
Increased flexibility within organizations implies a higher level of acceptance, not just among teams but also at the company level. This approach positively impacts work teams and fosters a supportive work environment.
Despite these recommendations, 22% of Mexican workers believe their managers rarely or never prioritize their emotional well-being or work-life balance, according to Kelly.
Key Questions and Answers
- What causes stress for employees due to traffic? Constant exposure to traffic-related issues, such as congestion and accidents, can lead to physical and emotional strain.
- How do managers contribute to stress reduction? Managers can demonstrate empathy, flexibility, and understanding of employees’ commuting challenges to create a supportive work environment.
- What actions can managers take to help employees cope with traffic-related stress? Managers should inquire about employees’ commutes, offer remote work options, and prioritize emotional intelligence when dealing with unpredictable traffic situations.
