As April marks Stress Awareness Month, recent findings demonstrate the persistent challenge of workplace stress. A new report reveals that 36% of employees frequently experience stress at work, leading to significant impacts on both individual wellbeing and organisational performance.
The data, from a report by by employee experience platform Reward Gateway | Edenred, indicates that nearly half (48%) of stressed employees report a decline in their overall wellbeing. This stress also affects work behaviour: 40% of these employees admit to no longer exceeding their job responsibilities, and 36% feel unsupported by their employers. Trust in leadership is eroded for 30% of stressed workers, while 20% feel disconnected from their company’s goals and colleagues.
In contrast, employees who rarely feel stressed demonstrate higher engagement levels. Among them, 58% are comfortable taking risks due to a no-blame culture, and 52% feel safe approaching HR with issues. Additionally, 56% believe their benefits are well-tailored to their needs, compared to just 37% of stressed employees.
Alarmingly, 46% of stressed employees report a decline in mental wellbeing in recent years, compared to only 12% of their less-stressed counterparts.
The Cultural Normalisation of Stress
Chris Britton, people experience director at Reward Gateway | Edenred, said stress had become an accepted norm in many workplaces.
“Stress and its impact on employees is not a novel phenomenon, though this may be a driver of why it’s been normalised in the workplace. There is a general expectation that employees must ‘carry on’ with their work despite experiencing declining mental health and symptoms of burn-out like detachment, irritability and exhaustion.”
Britton said younger people were more mindful of mental wellbeing but that overall, companies should prioritise it. And he pointed to the detrimental effect of stress on workplace culture and productivity:
“Stress creates a dampener on workplace culture, and more importantly, tears down employees and their mood, productivity and motivation to try harder and do better,” he said. “Especially within the UK amidst the push to Get Britain Working Again, it’s crucial organisations take initiatives to make stress-free workplaces, so employees actually look forward to cracking on with their work.”
Strategies for Employers to Mitigate Workplace Stress
Addressing workplace stress requires a multifaceted approach, observers say. Employers can implement several strategies to alleviate stress and promote a healthier work environment:
- Develop Open Communication: Encourage a culture where employees feel safe discussing stress and mental health issues without fear of stigma.
- Provide Access to Mental Health Resources: Offer employee assistance programmes, counselling services and mental health days to support employees’ psychological wellbeing.
- Promote Work-Life Balance: Implement flexible working arrangements and ensure employees are not overburdened with unrealistic workloads.
- Recognise and Reward Efforts: Regularly acknowledge employee contributions to boost morale and engagement.
- Train Managers: Equip leaders with the skills to identify signs of stress and to support their teams effectively.
By proactively addressing stress, organisations can enhance employee wellbeing, improve performance and cultivate a more resilient workforce.