April marks #stressawarenessmonth. It is therefore a perfect time for employers to look at their internal practices, to recognise how to manage the cause of work related stress. Stress is the reaction when a person is under excessive pressure or demands.
As work related stress is a ‘major cause of long-term absence from work’ (CIPD), it would be advantageous for employers to understand how work practices may be linked to these absences. The cost of absences can be substantial to a business.
From a legal perspective, it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that employees health is not put at risk by excessive work pressures. Duty of care and providing a safe environment are covered under Health and Safety Act 1974 and
As well as looking at workplace pressures, it is also important to consider any external factors that may be impacting employee stress. For example, the global cost of living crisis, which is putting more pressure on employees financially. This continued pressure can cause stress and result in absence from work.
How can employers support their employees?
Having a Stress Policy in place that shows the employers commitment to reducing stress in the workplace is a great way of communicating to employees.
Employers can consider strategies, to include:
- Providing resources available to support the employee e.g. EAP advice line
- Having trained line managers to recognise the signs of stress
- Providing stress risk assessments
- Implementing structures and work programmes to ensure that employees have a manageable. workload, and are trained in their role
- Having an employee survey to encourage feedback and ideas
Tackling stress and providing a safe environment can have major engagement benefits, making the business a good place to work, and therefore increasing retention figures and improving wellbeing.
For a Stress Policy, please contact the Nockolds HR team on enquiries@nockoldshr.co.uk or call 0345 646 0406.