Stress is the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them. We all experience pressure regularly. It’s healthy and essential that people experience challenges within their lives that cause levels of pressure, for example, the need to make decisions quickly when faced with a dangerous situation. It can motivate us to perform at our best. It is when we experience too much pressure and feel unable to cope that stress can result.
It’s also important to remember that every individual is different and their experience of pressure, and when that can tip into stress, will vary.
Work-related stress is a major cause of occupational ill health which can cause severe physical and psychological conditions in employees. It can also lead to poor productivity and human error, increased sickness absence, increases in accidents, high staff turnover, and poor performance in the organisation.
Work-related stress has been identified as having a major impact on employee’s lives. Recent statistics indicate that: –
- Approx. 250,000 people suffered from work-related stress in 2023/24
- Approx. 5.5 million working days are lost due to work-related stress in 2023/24
- 55% of workers feel that work is getting more intense and demanding
- 61% of workers say they feel exhausted at the end of most working days
- Deloitte reported that 64% of managers have considered quitting for a job that would better support their wellbeing
- 70% of managers cited organisational barriers to supporting staff wellbeing, including company policy, heavy workload, unsupportive workplace culture, and not being equipped with the right skills
Written by Daniel Prosser, MSc CMIOSH L4DipFRA OSHCR
Health, Safety and Wellbeing Professional