No matter how hard we try to manage the pressures of work, it can sometimes become more than we can cope with, leading to work-related stress. 

The impact of work-related stress can effect not only the employee who is suffering, but also the company and its other employees.

Statistics show that 17 million working days are lost each year to stress, depression and anxiety. For the average person, this equates to around 18.6 days off per year.

Recognising the signs of work-related stress and dealing with it in a fast and effective manner can help to mitigate the impact that is has on the health of the employee and of the business itself.

Here are a few key facts about stress:

  • Stress can be short-term or long-term.
  • Stress can be intense or mild – long-lasting mild stress can have a bigger impact, in some cases, than short-lived intense stress.
  • Everybody reacts differently to stress, though there are some common signs and symptoms.
  • Stress can be caused by anything – even things that you wouldn’t have expected to cause it!
  • It’s possible for someone to be stressed and not even realise it themselves.
  • All parts of our lives are intertwined. Stress from a personal situation can carry over into work, and work stress can be taken home where it can affect families and relationships.

So, how do you identify stress symptoms and how should you deal with them appropriately?

Common Symptoms of Work-Related Stress

The long-term effects of work-related stress can include chest pains and blood pressure problems, as well as a variety of other symptoms and conditions that can have a considerable impact on the sufferer’s health. You might think of stress as being a psychological or emotional condition, but the impact on the body is significant.

There are many signs and symptoms to look out for if you suspect you or a work colleague are suffering from stress. Here are just a few of the most common symptoms.

Low Energy

One of the most common symptoms of employee stress, but one that might not be noticed immediately, is a low energy level.

This might start as being slightly more tired than usual or finding it hard to concentrate at work. More intense stress can lead to more notable signs and symptoms.

As an employer, you might identify a stressed employee if they’re repeatedly late because they’ve slept through their alarm.

People suffering with stress can be so tired that they simply can’t wake up in the morning.

If you’re an employee and feel desperate for a nap or you’re falling asleep on the job, could this be a sign of stress or are you simply staying up too late?

Headaches

Headaches are another common symptom of stress, and thankfully one of the easiest signs to spot.

Headaches typically raise a red flag because they’re immediately noticeable if you’re suffering and are a clear sign that something is wrong.

You may think that you’re dealing with a physical illness – anything from a mild head cold to something much more severe that calls for a visit to the GP – but stress may be the underlying cause for the reason that you’re reaching for paracetamol.

Insomnia

Despite low energy levels being a common symptom of stress, many people find that they have trouble sleeping.

Some will find that the insomnia is clearly stress-related and will lie awake at night thinking through all of the things that are causing them to panic, whilst others can’t sleep and are unable to work out why.

Upset Stomach and Nausea

An upset stomach or feeling nauseous can also be attributed to stress. The body is often under stress as much as the mind is – either because the cause of stress is physical, or the emotions are triggering a fight or flight response and creating an internal imbalance.

Tense Muscles

When we’re stressed, whether we realise it or not, our muscles tend to tense up. You might not notice that you’re physically tense, but will soon come to realise when your shoulders ache or you’re suffering from neck pain.

Frequent Illness

Long-term stress can lower the immune system’s ability to fight an illness. As a result, people suffering from stress may suffer from cold and cough symptoms or other infections more often.

An employer might identify this if they have an employee that is constantly saying how ill they feel, or has needed to take more than the average number of days off work.

Snappy Behaviour and Anger

If you’re stressed you might feel inexplicably angry or frustrated. An employer might identify a stressed employee if they behave in a snappy or sarcastic way, sound annoyed or seem prone to being over-emotional – they might cry when given constructive feedback, or seem panicked.

How Can an Employer Reduce Stress in the Workplace?

Now we know some of the more common things to look out for, let’s take a look at some ways in which employers can help to support their staff and reduce work-related stress in their employees.

Listen

Listen when employees are complaining about feeling ill or having a headache, and think about the possibility that they’re suffering from stress.

This may be the case even if you don’t feel like they have anything to be stressed about – their workload might be manageable but they may be struggling with an issue at home, or their workload might seem reasonable but could be too much for them to take on.

Once an employee’s stress is identified, listen if they want to tell you the cause and be sure to ask for their suggestions about how things can be improved. No two experiences are the same, so your employee is the best person to help you to find a solution.

Introduce a Wellness Programme

Mind and body wellbeing are important for reducing stress, and are things that you can encourage in your employees.

Consider offering subsidised gym membership for your employees or simply encourage people to go for a walk on their lunch break. To help even more, you might even consider encouraging staff to take short walking breaks during their working day.

Some actions might slightly reduce the amount of time that your employees are working for, but overall should increase productivity and lower the number of sick days that are taken.

Allow Flexibility

Flexible working hours, or the opportunity to work from home either some or all of the time, can really help to reduce stress levels.

You’re providing a guilty parent with priceless time that they can spend with their child before or after school, or you’re helping someone to be at home when they’ve called an emergency plumber.

Change the Working Environment

Is the working environment comfortable? Little things like plants and big things like the opportunity for privacy can make a big difference – ask your employees to contribute their own ideas about what would make them more comfortable.

Encourage Friendships

Who you work with is as important as what you’re working on. As an employer you can foster friendships by providing social opportunities, team-building days and company nights out.

People working amongst friends feel happier to start work each day, and will have someone to turn to if they’re struggling with their stress levels.