Work-related stress is defined as:
“When the pressures of work become more than you can cope with. It can make you feel ill both physically and mentally”.
What are the main causes of work-related stress?
- Demands of your job – feeling like you have an excessive workload or unrealistic targets or deadlines
- No control over the way you do your job
- Not having enough support or information from managers or other workers
- Difficult relationships within the company
- Bullying in the workplace
- Change in your workplace – whether it be a job role, duties or new management
It is important to know, work-related stress affects everyone differently and some may not experience the main causes as listed above. Other contributors may be due to the person’s age, experience and ability to do the job in question or if they have any other pressures outside of the workplace which may be the cause of an unsteady work life balance.
What are the signs of work-related stress?
Work-related stress affects everyone differently. Some people may feel overwhelmed and anxious about work while others lose motivation or find it hard to concentrate. This might result emotional symptoms like the person becoming irritable or may feel tearful. Physical symptoms might be feeling sick or constant headaches. It is important that by recognising the signs of work-related stress and dealing with it quickly can mean it will have less negative impact.
What should the employer do?
Employers have a legal duty to protect employees from work-related stress. The Company will assess how the work may cause stress and the risks to the employee’s health. We will take measures to help the employee tackle work-related stress if it arises.
However, we won’t be able to help if we don’t know there is a problem, please speak up if you need support.
Additional information which you may find beneficial:
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/stress/
https://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/20-science-backed-ways-reduce-stress/
If you need help with your stress management plans and risk assessment do not hesitate to get in touch us us.
