Work-related stress can be a hidden issue in many workplaces, making it difficult for employers to protect employees from the harm stress can cause. A survey by CIPD found that 79% of respondents reported some degree of stress-related absence in their organisation over the last year. The survey found that workload or volume of work is the most common cause of stress (60%) for employees.
Stress in the workplace is not uncommon. Deadlines, workload and employee behaviours such as bullying and harassment can impact employee stress levels. While a healthy amount of pressure can increase productivity, employers need to reduce the risks of excessive stress as part of their duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Read our guide to the benefits of managing employee stress.
Too much employee stress can negatively impact an organisation and harm employees. The HSE reports that in 2019/20, 17.9 million days were lost due to absence from stress, depression or anxiety. High levels of absence can result in lower productivity, increased costs and reduced employee morale, leading to higher turnover rates.
Our IOSH Approved stress awareness for managers course aims to provide managers with the information they need to understand accepted definitions of stress, spot the signs and symptoms of stress and understand what actions to take.
Employer responsibilities and work-related stress
Employers have a duty of care towards employee health. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 states that employers must ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of their employees at work, including mental health.
Stress is widely recognised as a health issue if not appropriately managed. Employers need to spot the signs of stress in workers and make reasonable adjustments to prevent harm caused by work-related stress.
Employers must ensure that suitable measures are in place to reduce the risk of workplace stress, including:
- Carrying out risk assessments to help identify potential causes of workplace stress.
- Providing health and safety training to all employees and management.
- Allowing reasonable adjustments to help the employee.
- Encouraging a healthy work environment and developing a positive health and safety culture.
Acknowledging when employees become overwhelmed with stress can help prevent possible long-term harm to your organisation and employees.
Signs of work-related stress symptoms
Keeping an eye out for signs of stress within the workplace is essential. Stress can be a hidden harm, with employees unwilling or unable to raise their issues and concerns. Employers should know how to recognise atypical behaviours that frequently occur that may help identify work-related stress in employees.
While experiences of work-related stress can differ for each individual, here are some common signs you should look out for in employees.
Exhaustion
One of the main signs of stress is exhaustion. Although many employees are likely to have the occasional day where they lack energy or feel tired, frequent exhaustion could be a warning sign of work-related stress. Physical and mental fatigue can result from a lack of sleep caused by overwhelming stress and anxiety.
Absence
The HSE reports that stress and anxiety are the leading causes of absence. Regular sick days may indicate an employee is suffering from stress. The absence may be directly related to stress or other symptoms related to stress, such as stomach aches or headaches. Difficulty in sleeping can result in poor timekeeping and a lack of punctuality.
Overworking
Employees who work longer than normal hours, avoid taking breaks and time off, may be struggling with their workload which can cause further stress.
Isolation and withdrawal
While some employees may be more introverted than others, a change in an employee’s confidence and interaction with others may indicate stress. Isolating and withdrawing from social interactions, not joining in during meetings or conversations, and general quietness may signify that the employee is dealing with stress. Avoid jumping to conclusions if a usually extroverted employee has a quiet day, but do keep note if it becomes a regular occurrence.
Reduced quality of work
A reduction in an employee’s productivity or standard of work can be a sign of stress. An excessive workload may cause the employee to struggle to finish tasks in a reasonable timeframe, or they may lack concentration, producing lower quality work. If they regularly fail to complete work to their usual standard, it may be worth investigating their workload.
Unusual behaviour
An increase in unusual behaviours and habits may be a sign your employee is stressed. The employee may deal with their stress in destructive ways, such as drinking and drugs, or they may increase their risk-taking behaviour. Any atypical behaviours should be a cause for concern if it leads to conflict in the workplace. Types of atypical behaviour may include:
- Irritability
- Increased drinking/drugs/smoking
- Unhealthy eating patterns: too much or too little
- Aggression
- Reckless behaviour such as gambling, bullying, accidents at work
Our IOSH Approved Stress Awareness for Managers course aims to provide managers with the information they need to understand accepted definitions of stress, spot the signs and symptoms of stress and understand what actions to take. We also provide Stress Awareness Training for Employees who do not have management responsibilities.
