Stress at Work
What is work-related stress?
It is well recognised that stress at work is a massive problem. Any stress can reduce employee well-being and it is well recognised that excessive or sustained work pressure can lead to stress. Occupational stress poses a risk to most businesses and compensation payments for stress are increasing. It is important to meet the challenge by dealing with excessive and long-term causes of stress.
Our annual absence management surveys show that stress is one of the most important reasons behind sickness from work and stress-related absence is increasing. * See our latest absence management survey
Pressure and stress
There is sometimes confusion between the terms pressure and stress. It is healthy and essential that people experience challenges within their lives that cause levels of pressure and, up to a certain point, an increase in pressure can improve performance and the quality of life. However, if pressure becomes excessive, it loses its beneficial effect and becomes harmful and destructive to health.1
Stress is the adverse reaction that people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them. It arises when they worry that they cannot cope2. The pressures of working life can lead to stress if they are excessive or long-term. Causes of stress include excessive workload, inadequate training, a lack of control or autonomy and poor working relationships, for example a bullying line manager.
Signs of stress The first signs that indicate that employees might be suffering from excessive pressure or stress are changes in behaviour or performance. The kinds of change that may occur are shown in the table below. Work performance * declining/inconsistent performance * uncharacteristic errors * loss of control over work * loss of motivation/commitment * indecision * lapses in memory * increased time at work * lack of holiday planning/usage | Regression * crying * arguments * undue sensitivity *
It is well recognised that stress at work is a massive problem. Any stress can reduce employee well-being and it is well recognised that excessive or sustained work pressure can lead to stress. Occupational stress poses a risk to most businesses and compensation payments for stress are increasing. It is important to meet the challenge by dealing with excessive and long-term causes of stress.
Our annual absence management surveys show that stress is one of the most important reasons behind sickness from work and stress-related absence is increasing. * See our latest absence management survey
Pressure and stress
There is sometimes confusion between the terms pressure and stress. It is healthy and essential that people experience challenges within their lives that cause levels of pressure and, up to a certain point, an increase in pressure can improve performance and the quality of life. However, if pressure becomes excessive, it loses its beneficial effect and becomes harmful and destructive to health.1
Stress is the adverse reaction that people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them. It arises when they worry that they cannot cope2. The pressures of working life can lead to stress if they are excessive or long-term. Causes of stress include excessive workload, inadequate training, a lack of control or autonomy and poor working relationships, for example a bullying line manager.
Signs of stress The first signs that indicate that employees might be suffering from excessive pressure or stress are changes in behaviour or performance. The kinds of change that may occur are shown in the table below. Work performance * declining/inconsistent performance * uncharacteristic errors * loss of control over work * loss of motivation/commitment * indecision * lapses in memory * increased time at work * lack of holiday planning/usage | Regression * crying * arguments * undue sensitivity *