Stress Head

Stress in the workplace can be caused by a single factor but more commonly is an accumulation of different things which cause stress.

Both physical and emotional health problems can be caused by pressure in the workplace. Everyone’s ability to cope with stress is different and while some people can work under pressure better than others, no one persons reason for stress should be ignored.

People who have stress in the workplace will have more sick or absence days which can cost the company in both lost productivity and staff retention.

The symptoms of stress vary from person to person, many may have regular headaches, back problems, tiredness and raised heart rates which if left unchecked can cause major health problems.

People who have stress in the workplace may also have mood swings, irritability, lack motivation and poor concentration, which will also result in time off work or work not being completed to the sufficient standard.

Poor working conditions can lead to stress in the workplace, as can long working hours, an inflexible approach to working, poor management and lack of job security.

In the UK the Health and Safety Executive has identified six key areas which studies have shown to affect workers levels of stress, these include demands which are placed upon workers, including work patterns and working environment, how much control workers have over their job, the type and amount of support available, the quality of working relationships, the clarity of the job role and changes in the workplace, which includes how the changes are managed and communicated within the company.

UK companies are required to take these six factors into consideration and make their workplaces less stressful places, which is also a requirement under the UK’s Health and Safety at Work Act. If companies fail to address the causes of stress workers can sue them for contributing to ill health.

Stress in the workplace can also be caused harassment and bullying, companies in the UK are also obliged to have a harassment and bullying policy which generally includes a whistle blowing policy to enable workers to make complaints without retribution.