Tackling Work-Related Stress
Work-related stress, depression or anxiety is a harmful reaction occurring secondary to excessive pressures and demands in the workplace. We all experience pressure at work, sometimes that can be useful for driving us towards achieving targets and to inspire us to produce our best work. But, if that pressure outweighs our coping mechanisms then work-related stress can result.
15.4 million working days lost
The Labour Force Survey samples UK households and asks questions about work related accidents and ill health. Their data indicated that in 2017/2018 there were 15.4 million working days lost due to work-related stress, depression or anxiety. With the total number of cases of work related stress, depression or anxiety in 2017/18 amounting to 595,000. The bad news is, despite increased awareness the rate has shown signs of increasing over the last few years.
How to tackle work-related stress
Having a structured approach to the assessment of potential sources of work-related stress can be useful to indicate areas of work which could be having a negative impact on employees. You can do this by looking at the following domains:
- Demands
- Control
- Support
- Role
- Change
- Relationships
Identify stress risk factors
You can do this by looking at the domains listed above in detail.
Decide who is at risk
This could involve gathering information from employees using the HSE’s stress risk assessment template alongside other workplace data, for example sickness absence rates.
Evaluate the risk
This is where problems and solutions are explored. It’s really important that employees are involved at this stage, they often know the most about the issues and have the best ideas in relation to solutions. Focus groups at this point can be a useful source of information.
Record your findings and develop an action plan
This is where the changes are initiated, sticking with the domains can be really helpful in ensuring the process runs smoothly. If you know that big changes need to be made, then you can consider piloting the changes in small groups first before rolling it out across large areas of the workforce.
Monitor and review the situation
The effectiveness of the action plan is assessed at this stage. Tackling work-related stress is a continuous process, so it’s essential that time is put aside to reflect, adjust and make future plans.
The Health and Safety Executive produces a wealth of information on tackling work-related stress. If you’re worried about an employee then consider a management referral for an occupational health assessment. At Medigold Health we have a wealth of experienced clinicians who can provide an impartial assessment and advise on how employees in these situations can be effectively supported.
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