The HSE describe workplace stress as:
“The adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demands placed on them”
According to the Health and Safety Executive, 898,000 suffered with work related stress in 2020. That translates to 17.9 million workdays lost (survey by Labour force) – a huge amount!
That is also a lot calls taken and a lot of resource put in to getting people the support they need and the cover needed to continue as an employer and continue to provide a service.
- “In 2019/20 stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 51% of all work-related ill health cases and 55% of all working days lost due to work-related ill health. HSE “
- Stress and depression are on the rise and the pandemic has exasperated the already increasing numbers of people who are struggling with their mental health.
- Stress and depression are stated to be more common in the public sector and service industries although no industry is left out when talking about stress.
- Retention and sickness cost businesses in all aspects.
Some of the reasons cited for work-related stress included:
- Unreasonable deadlines
- High pressured environment
- Lack of managerial support
- Work/life balance
- Change
- Uncertainty around expectations
NB- It is now a legal requirement to undertake a risk assessment related to workplace stress if you have more than 10 employees.
That requirement also states you must do something about the risks identified.
What can you do about it?
- Find out what is going on now; ask how people feel, (get in touch if you would like access to a survey and report with findings.)
- Consider the findings and rate the risk levels. Remember this is feedback from your most important asset as a business.
- Consider a wellbeing strategy
- Involve the workforce
- Offer a service of support
- Check again (after implementation see if the survey results are improved.)
- Be consistent
