RHI - Robert Half International Inc.

05/19/2022 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/19/2022 19:00

5 Ways to Beat Stress in the Payroll Department

By Robert Halfon May 19, 2022 at 5:30pm

Stress - who needs it? Payroll professionals sure don't, but still, they tend to deal with a lot of it all the time. Payroll is a critical function, and if accurate payments don't get out on time to the right recipients, it can be bad news for the business. Hence, payroll pros are under constant pressure to hit deadlines and avoid mistakes - and they often end up working long hours to ensure they can do both.

These unforgiving work conditions can cause your stress level to soar, which is bad for your productivity, personal happiness, and physical and mental health. Burnout is also a risk - and it's on the rise, too. In a recent Robert Half survey of more than 2,400 professionals in the United States, 41% of respondents said they are more burned out now than they were a year ago.

Even if you're working remotely all or part of the time, you may find it difficult to carve out just a little personal time during the day to unplug and reconnect with your non-work surroundings. The same survey mentioned above found that 75% of employees are devoting more than 40 hours per week to work - even though they have the ability to set their own hours.

The good news is that you can better manage your workplace stress - and your anxiety level. If you want to know how to deal with stress stemming from your payroll job, whether you work at the office or at home, the following five strategies can help you reclaim your inner peace.

1. Practice the art of single-tasking

You might think multitasking is the only way to get things done, but research suggests it is ineffective and it can actually harm your health and productivity. Mindfulness, the act of focusing on the present, is a better approach. Embrace being in the moment by not getting distracted by another task or problem. (And yes, this is easier said than done, but it is well worth the effort.)

Here are some simple ways to bring mindfulness into your work:

When analyzing data or compiling a report, concentrate on the content and not what else you have to do.

  • During video calls, pay attention to the speaker rather than checking your messages.
  • Control your environment so as to reduce distractions. Do you really need to be notified of every email that hits your inbox?
  • The better you are at "monotasking" - a basic time management technique - the more efficiently you can finish your work.

2. Create more structure in your day

Windowed work, or the ability to break up your day into distinct chunks of business and personal time, can be a valuable tool for controlling work-related stress. It can be especially useful when you are working remotely. Here are three tips for using this method:

  • Identify your power hours. When do you typically reach peak productivity on our payroll tasks: the early morning, late afternoon or evening? Carve out quiet time to tackle high-priority projects when you tend to hit your stride.
  • Set wide time windows. Bouncing between tasks can be inefficient. (See item #1 about the dangers of multi-tasking.) Cluster activities that require similar effort and resources, and block off hour-long increments, or longer, to focus on getting them done.
  • Schedule and share your calendar. Make sure your colleagues in payroll know when you're available to meet and collaborate - and when you'll be less accessible or offline.

3. Amp up your physical activity

Exercise can feel like torture when you're in it, but its stress-relieving effects can stay with you long after your workout. For one, it increases blood flow to your brain, improving memory and helping you process information better. And according to the Mayo Clinic, working out also combats depression by increasing the amount of endorphins (aka "feel-good" neurotransmitters) you produce.

So, do your best to make exercise a regular part of your life. If you're back to commuting to the office, choose public transportation rather than driving, if possible. Jog up the stairs. Take a lunchtime yoga or tai chi class (online or in-person) so you can breathe and learn to let go of stress.

Another tip: Rather than surfing the web during work breaks, head outside for a brisk walk. Before you know it, your work-related stress will ease-and you'll feel better physically, too.

4. Vacation time: take it (really!)

Because people need to get paid every two weeks or every month, it's understandable that payroll specialists are often reluctant to take time off for an extended period. However, it's one thing to be a dedicated employee, but quite another to jeopardize your well-being by burning the candle at both ends

Vacation time exists because you need and deserve that time away to relax and recharge. So, go ahead and schedule that weeklong break - no guilt or work emails allowed. Ask colleagues to cover for you and return the favor when it's their turn to get away. And be sure to create an out-of-office message so you aren't overwhelmed by an overflowing inbox when you return to work.

5. Reflect on your status quo

Naturally, peak periods like year-end processing and reporting deadlines are stressful. But if your anxiety level is high all year long, it's time to reflect on your work environment and consider whether you should start a new job search.

For example, are you coping with bad management, a toxic workplace culture, or an office bully? In these situations, you could relieve your stress by finding another employer. While it's true that a job change is stressful as well, the reward can be great: peace of mind.

Plus, in the current hiring market, you may not have to wait long to find a new opportunity. According to Robert Half's latest Salary Guide, payroll specialists are in high demand. You may even be able to advance your career in payroll by making a move now.

No payroll job is 100% stress-free. But it is within your reach to prevent work-related worries from taking over and undermining your sense of well-being.