How do you know if someone is struggling with work-related stress?

Work Related stress is defined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as: “The adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them at work.” Individuals may become stressed when they feel as though they don’t have the resources they need to cope with these demands.

Stress affects people differently; what stresses one person may not affect another. Factors such as skills and experience, age or disability may all impact this. It is also worth noting that there is a difference between ‘stress’ and ‘pressure’. It’s widely acknowledged that a certain degree of pressure can be healthy and motivate individuals to performance. It is when this pressure becomes excessive that it can be detrimental to health.

Stress itself is not an illness but it can invoke physical and mental health conditions, particularly when too much of it is endured over a prolonged period.

It is inevitable that everyone will be impacted by stress at some point in their life, whether that be related to financial worries, personal issues, bereavement etc. During these times, work life is often impacted, as we all know it’s not always possible to leave problems at home. Although these factors can impact work performance, their route cause is not the workplace. The HSE have identified six main areas of work design which can affect stress levels. These are: demands, control, support, relationships, role, and change. 

So, how do you know if someone is struggling with work related stress?

Here are some indicators to look out for:

How should employers tackle stress related issues within the workplace?

Employers have a legal duty to take care of their workers, this includes protecting them from stress at work. Employers must conduct a stress risk assessment and act on the findings. A good stress risk assessment should identify any areas which may cause stress; employers should then use this information to eliminate or reduce the causes.

Early intervention is key when it comes to tackling any issue in the workplace but especially those which are stress related. Employers should encourage those experiencing stress related issues to seek help, whether that be by speaking with their line manager, trade union representative, GP, or an occupational health professional.

Employers should be proactive in their approach to dealing with stress-related issues; instead of waiting for a situation to escalate, they should implement measures which can both prevent and intervene with stress-related problems when necessary. 

Here are our top tips for dealing with stress-related issues:

• Implement a written policy with clear guidance on stress within the workplace.
• Identify the causes of work-related stress by conducting surveys, focus groups, monitoring patterns/trends, or simply encouraging open conversations with staff.
• Conduct risk assessments and stress audits.
• Train all managers on how to manage stress in the workplace.
• Ensure there is clear and transparent communication throughout the business, especially during times of change.
• Implement an employee handbook, so you have a set of policies and procedures in place to deal with workplace issues.
• Empower your employees; involve and collaborate with them to engage and align them with the business’ goals. 
• Set clear goals and objectives; this can be achieved with a good induction, through SMART objective setting and comprehensive training and development plans.
• Celebrate and appreciate your team i.e. recognise their achievements, host team events, consider staff awards, token gifts etc.
• Assess whether flexible working options may be feasible to improve work/life balance.
• Involve occupational health specialists where issues are identified.
• Consider resilience training for your staff i.e. teaching coping techniques, mindfulness etc.
• Consider introducing an employee assistance programme.

If you need further advice on a work-related stress issue or another HR matter, please do not hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team who can support you.

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Mind Website for more information on Stress and the symptoms