- Nearly 3 in every 10 employees will have a mental health problem in any year
- Work-related stress is the reason behind over half a million instances of absences
- Work-related stress costs UK employers an estimated £3.7 billion
- Each incidence of work-related stress involves an absence period of approx 29 days
- Work-related stress accounts for an average of 13 millions lost days
- More days are taken off work for stress than backaches
Business Mentality
Some statistics
Workplace Stress
The Health & Safety Executive states that each employer needs to introduce appropriate controls to effectively manage stress at work; but what precisely is stress and how can it be recognised and correctly managed?
While it's true that a reasonable level of pressure is stimulating motivating and generally good for people, if the pressure becomes too much, stress (with all its potential problems) can follow.
This section aims to provide information on common questions.
What you can do as an employer
There are a number of things you may be able to do to help members of staff who are stressed
What is workplace stress?
There are many definitions of stress. The Health and Safety Executive defines it as follows:
'Stress is the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them'.
What are the cost benefits in implementing a workplace stress policy?
Cost benefits from effective stress management can be expected to be in the region of 5% to 10%. This could be in the form of elements such as improved productivity, reduced sickness and absenteeism, better customer care, reduced staff turnover or few quality control problems.
What are the early signs of stress?
If early the signs and/or symptoms of stress are not addressed, more serious consequences for emplyee health can follow.
What is a stress policy?
The development of a stress policy or mental health in the workplace policy is a formal written statement explaining what action an employer is taking with regard to stress-related problems in the workplace.
What can I do to prevent workplace stress?
Workplace stress can be minimised and staff suffering from stress-related complaints should be supported. Good people management where staff are provided with the appropriate support and development to enable them to carry out their work will create the most effective environment to reduce the risk of work-related stress.
Who has responsibility to manage employee stress?
Every employer, irrespective if business size or legal status has a duty of care to its staff.
Statistics on workplace stress
Workplace stress is on the rise in the UK as more and more of us suffer from the burden of overwork and the problems of juggling busy lives both at home and in the office.
What is the business case for managing stress?
It is possible to create a mentally healthy workplace at little or no cost, and the rewards for making some small changes can be substantial. These can include raised morale, improved productivity, reduced recruitment costs and ultimately a better bottom line.
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