Stress At Work

Work-related stress levels are rising. So it’s vital that UK employers know what can cause stress at work and how to manage it. That’s why we have put together this guide to exploring and identifying causes of stress at work.

But what exactly can cause employee stress at work? And what can employers do to help? We’ve included some statistics below, so you can see how big an impact work-related stress can have on employees in the workplace.

Who experiences stress at work?

According to Champion Health’s Workplace Health Report 2023:

76% of employees experience moderate to high stress levels.
76% say workload is the cause or reason for negative stress at work
There is a 23% increase in employees experiencing financial pressure versus last year
9% of professionals experience thoughts of suicide or self harm

With these figures in mind, the importance of understanding and reducing stress at work is imperative. Businesses need to do what we can to stop this ongoing problem.

Causes of Stress At Work:

Workload

According to Champion Health’s 2023 report, workload was the number one reason for stress at work, with 76% citing workload as a source of workplace stress. 

So it’s clear, managers and employers need to take steps within their organisations to avoid this. This could involve anything from hiring extra staff to taking a more strategic approach to project management.

For employees that are struggling with workload related stress, Mind has some key tips:

• Ask your manager for help.
• Try to manage your time.
• Reward yourself for achievements.
• Be realistic.

Lack of control

Over one third, 35% of employees, cite lack of control as a cause of stress at work. But what is meant by a ‘lack of control’ in the workplace?

Control at work involves having meaningful discretion over how, when, and where work gets done. So what does this mean for management, HR and other business leaders?

Creating more autonomy between employees and their workload could help employees avoid burnout and minimise their stress at work. Employers could do this by allowing employees more flexible working arrangements, control over their workload, working from home or other reasonable adjustments at work.

Lack of support

Stressed-out staff feel unsupported at work, says Mind. Their data shows 47% of employees cite not enough support from managers as a stressful factor of their work.

The Health & Safety Executive also reports that employees who don’t receive enough information and support at work could experience workplace stress. So, what can employers do better to support employees cope with stress?

Many experts recommend creating an open-door policy, where employees feel comfortable approaching their managers. Offering regular feedback (both positive and constructive) can also make a big difference.

Providing accredited MHFA training will help to suport employees’ wellbeing in the workplace. This will ensure employees are equipped with the tools they need to manage stress in the workplace

Senior staff 

Champion Health’s data puts senior staff as the 4th most cited factor affecting workplace mental health (27%).

The second biggest contributing factor to workplace stress is management style, which has risen from 32% to 43% in the last year, a report by CIPD (The Professional Body for HR and People development) states. They go on to say:

“The worrying increase in management style as a key cause of workplace stress highlights the need for businesses to invest in management training, as well as wider wellbeing initiatives.”

In Mind’s research, nearly a third (30%) of respondents said they wouldn’t be able to talk openly with their line manager if they were stressed. Of the 14 per cent who had a diagnosed mental health issue, fewer than half (45 per cent) had told their current employer.

It’s clear that a good manager is one that is open, honest and supportive. So, if you’re an employer, it’s important to create an environment where your employees feel comfortable approaching you.

Peers

A toxic culture at work can be another cause of stress. According to Champion Health, 20% of employees cite their peers as one of the leading causes of stress at work.

When defining a toxic work culture, Aditya Jain, an associate professor in human resource management at Nottingham University Business School, , states:

“A toxic work culture is one where workers are exposed to psychosocial hazards. They may have little or no organisational support, poor interpersonal relationships, high workload, lack of autonomy, poor rewards and a lack of job security.”

In light of this, it’s important for employers to create a work environment and culture that encourages peer-to-peer support. This could involve anything from team-building exercises to social events outside of work.

Additionally, employers should also be aware of any employees who may be struggling and offer support. For example, you could provide access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) or signpost them towards their GP or other NHS mental health services.

Insufficient training 

According to CIPD, only 50% of managers have undergone training to support their staff to better manage stress.

In addition to this, only 37% of managers have been trained to spot the warning signs of absenteeism or presenteeism.

It’s clear that more needs to be done to support managers in identifying and managing stress within their teams. One way of doing this is by offering regular training and development opportunities.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training can be vital for reducing stress at work. MHFA training can help managers support themselves and their co-workers through periods of stress, and helps everyone manage their work effectively.

Job security

Champion Health data also identifies job security issues as a cause of workplace stress. With 17% of employees citing job security as a leading cause of stress at work.

Job insecurity can be a stressor on mental and physical health.

To tackle this, it’s important for leaders to schedule regular one-to-one meetings. Within these meetings, it is imperative to discuss job security and career development.

For employees, Raffi Bilek, a director at The Baltimore Therapy Center, offers this advice on dealing with a toxic workplace:

“One important way you can weather a toxic work environment is to find one or two good friends you can trust in your workplace and offer each other support and a place to vent.”

Working from home 

In 2021, a study by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) found that the biggest increases in stress during the pandemic were felt by those working from home and living alone.

For remote employees, stress at work can sometimes spill over into their personal life. As such, it’s vital that workplace wellbeing initiatives are available for remote workers, encompassing their work and home life.

Managers can support employees’ mental health at work by checking in on them regularly, being understanding of any distractions they may have at home and offering flexible working hours where possible.

In addition to this, employees themselves can manage stress by communicating with their employer, sticking to a daily routine and making time for socialising outside of work.

Long hours

Studies have demonstrated that long working hours can contribute to psychological stress and work stress. 

To counteract this, employers should ensure everyone has a good work-life balance. Employees should communicate any concerns they have about their workload to their employer. Employees should also be encouraged to use their annual leave entitlement and take regular breaks during the day to avoid burnout.

The four-day working week concept, may allow employees time to focus on their wellbeing. Benefits may include employees having time to enjoy interests outside of work, without sacrificing their career progression. In turn, this may lead to improved work performance, focus and creativity.

Stress outside of work

While some causes of stress may originate from within the workplace, stress outside of work can have a huge impact on work performance, too.

•  Financial stress: 30% of employees cited financial wellbeing as a cause of stress outside of work.
• Sleep problems: 29% of employees reported money worries are impacting their sleep.

What Can Employers Do To Reduce Stress at Work?

While a once-a-year campaign on National Stress Awareness Day might feel like a useful investment, there are many more ways to help reduce stress at work.

Preventing stress for UK employees should be a key priority for any business, no matter the size.

Here are some key initiatives employers can do to help reduce stress at work:

• Promote a healthy work-life balance. This can be done by offering flexible working hours, encouraging employees to take their annual leave entitlement and not setting unrealistic workloads. Also make sure employees are taking regular breaks throughout the day.
• Encourage open communication. Ensure employees feel comfortable communicating any concerns they have about their work with their line manager. By doing this, any issues can be dealt with early and prevent them from escalating.
• Create a healthy workplace environment. This means ensuring the workplace is stigma-free, comfortable and that there are opportunities for socialising and development. Also, encourage employees to talk about their mental health and ensuring regular wellbeing check-ins with staff.

Looking For Accredited MHFA Training?

At Great Minds At Work, we offer a range of Mental Health First Aid Courses that can help with workplace wellbeing.

Our MHFA Aware course is a half-day awareness training session that covers all the key topics surrounding mental health. The MH Aware Course includes how to spot the signs of poor mental wellbeing, how to support someone who is struggling and how to create a mentally healthy workplace.

We also offer accredited MHFA training that teaches employees to become Mental Health First Aiders in the workplace. This course covers a range of topics including anxiety, depression and stress at work. it also provides employees with the skills and confidence to support colleagues who may be struggling with their mental health.

Book a Mental Health First Aid Course today!