What is stress in the workplace?
What is workplace burnout and stress, and what causes it?
Individuals can experience stress when they can't cope with pressures at work. Employers are obliged to match demands to employees' skills and knowledge, but we know that employees experience stress if they think they don't have enough time or skill to meet targets. It has been shown that by providing planning, training and support, employers can reduce pressure and bring stress levels down (Health & Safety Executive (HSE), 2019).
The HSE highlights 6 main areas that can lead to work-related stress:
1. Demands
2. Control
3. Support
4. Relationships
5. Role
6. Change
Signs of workplace stress in teams:
- Arguments
- High staff Turnover
- More reports of stress
- More sickness
- Decreased performance
- More complaints and grievances
- More clashes of opinion
Signs of stress in an individual:
- Taking more time off
- Arriving late for work
- More twitchy or nervous
- Mood swings
- Being withdrawn
- Loss of motivation, commitment or confidence
- Stronger emotions: More tearful, more aggressive or sensitive
Signs of stress in yourself:
- Feeling negative
- A lack of concentration
- Being indecisive
- Eating more or less than usual
- Feeling isolated
- Smoking, drinking or taking drugs to “cope”
- Feeling nervous
- Difficulties sleeping
Often signs of stress at work are internalised and not perceived until they cause significant impairment on an individual's ability to cope. We believe in prevention over cure, and can introduce tools to support with all of the above.