Unmaking the silent strain

In today’s fast-paced modern world of workplaces, stress is seemingly becoming an inevitable companion for many professionals. With one in 14 of adults feeling stressed every day and 74% of people feeling so stressed they have been overwhelmed or unable to cope the impact of stress on individuals and organisations is profound. In this blog, we’ll explore the intricate web of stress in the workplace, shedding light on its various dimensions and offering practical insights on how to navigate through the challenges it presents.

Connecting stress to our physical and mental health

We’ve all felt it! In some instances, it has acted as a positive force, motivating us to perform well in that impending task we must do. But in many cases, it has manifested as a negative force, that can take its toll on both our physical and mental health. Symptoms of stress are diverse, from becoming agitated and frustrated, experiencing low energy and headaches, having racing thoughts, poor judgment or having difficulties with focusing. It can also prompt us to engage in unhealthy behaviours such as smoking or consuming more alcohol, all of which can increase the risks to our health.
The longer the stress lasts, the worse it is for both mind and body. It can lead to anxiety, depression, headaches, muscle tensions, pain, high blood pressure, strokes, sleep problems, memory, concentration impairment and much more. Inevitably, prolonged exposure to stress can increase the risks of long-term physical and mental health issues, which can be significant. Consequently, understanding it and addressing it is vital.

The ripple effect

The impact of stress extends far beyond the individual. The effect ripples through the workplace, influencing team dynamics, impacting absence levels, contributing to low productivity and presenteeism (how present people are when in work), and leading to high turnover rates. Combined, this costs organisations more than £28billion a year. And whilst quantifying the exact costs can be challenging due to the multi-faceted nature of its impact, various studies continue to shed light on the economic consequence. Let’s explore the impact to the workplace in more detail…

Unpicking the impact to the workplace

Employee Engagement and Satisfaction

Research continues to evidence the correlation between stress and job satisfaction / engagement (Bui et al, 2021). When employees feel overwhelmed and unsupported, their morale and commitment to the organisation may decrease.

Those experiencing stress can often find it challenging to fully engage with their work or tap into their creative potential. The mental strain can stifle innovation and problem-solving, hindering the overall progress of projects and initiatives.

Critically, avoiding discussions about stress in the workplace can negatively contribute to employee satisfaction and engagement. Therefore, understanding and addressing the root causes of stress can contribute to a more positive and engaging work environment.

Productivity and Performance

Given what we now know about the impact of stress on individuals physical and mental health, it is perhaps unsurprising that stress has a direct correlation with workplace productivity (Bui et al, 2021). The profound impact on cognitive function leads to poor concentration, impaired memory and decision making. This can result in errors, oversights, and a decrease in the quality of work. Consequently, the intricate ways in which stress influences workplace productivity is crucial for employers and employees alike. Prioritising stress management approaches and programmes, and fostering a supportive work environment ensures organisations are better positioned to mitigate the negative impact of stress whilst cultivating a culture of sustained productivity.

Absenteeism and turnover

Absenteeism is typically the first noticeable sign of an underlying issue, with stress often the leading culprit. When the weight of work-induced stress becomes too much to bear, employees may find solace in sick leave, taking a step back to cope with the physical and mental toll of sustained stress. In a recent study, 76% of participants shared they had been off work due to stress in the last year. However, behind every statistic lies the human cost of stress-induced absenteeism and turnover. Individuals facing chronic stress often experience a decline in mental and physical health, affecting their overall quality of life. The toll on well-being is immeasurable and can lead to a vicious cycle where stress begets absenteeism, which, in turn, fuels turnover. Employees grappling with chronic stress may reach a breaking point where they decide to seek a workplace that prioritises their well-being. This turnover not only results in the loss of valuable talent but also triggers additional expenses related to recruitment, onboarding, and training.

Unravelling the threads

Stress is triggered and caused by a combination of social, environmental and biological factors. In the workplace, it manifests in various forms, from tight deadlines and high workloads to interpersonal conflicts and a lack of work-life balance. Understanding the unique stressors in your workplace is the first step toward effective stress management.

Despite growing awareness in the public eye, the reality is there are many organisations who don’t tackle stress, or they skirt around it in the workplace, worried that by talking about it, things will unravel and lead to a tsunami of workplace issues. However, recent research (Sumner 2022) appears to demonstrate that that simply isn’t the case. Directly and proactively acting on stress in the workplace creates opportunities to mitigate stress, develop effective workplaces and reduce the likelihood of long-term health and wellbeing risks.

Equipping you and your team

From mindfulness techniques and effective time management, to fostering open communications, practical strategies exist for individuals and organisations to proactively manage and mitigate the effects of stress. The approach to tackling stress largely depends on the individual, the workplace and what is influencing it. However, evidence-based approaches such as developing personal resilience lie at the heart of effective stress management strategies. This is equipping people with coping skills that can not only lead to improved health and wellbeing, and reduced risks to long-term health impacts, but it may also reflect on workplace performance.

Charting a course for a stress-resilient workplace

Approaching stress proactively, focusing on prevention and early intervention is the most effective approach in addressing, managing, responding to and supporting stress in the workplace. Avoidance or skirting around the edges will unequivocally lead to long-term physical and mental health issues, increased productivity challenges, accelerated absenteeism and employee turnover.

Therefore, acknowledging and addressing workplace stress is not just a matter of personal well-being but a strategic imperative for organisations aiming to thrive in a competitive landscape. By navigating the intricate web of workplace stress, we can unlock a more resilient, healthier, and ultimately more successful professional journey for everyone involved.