Ways to ease stress in the workplace

THE last few weeks have seen a surge in awareness surrounding the once taboo subject of mental health, and of course the #bekind being highlighted across social media and in the press.

As well as affecting our personal lives; feelings of anxiety, depression and stress also often manifest themselves in the workplace.

Thankfully, companies are increasingly recognising this and taking the issue seriously – and are putting measures and steps in place to protect and enhance the well being of their staff.

April marks Stress Awareness Month; with an emphasis on how promoting well-being and a positive working environment can help cut the £5 billion a year lost through absence.

Stress Awareness Month has been marked in the UK since 1992, when health care professionals and health promotion experts across the country join forces to increase public awareness about both the causes and cures for this modern stress epidemic.

The Mental Health Foundation says 74 per cent of UK adults have felt so stressed at some point over the last year they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope.

According to research, over 11 million days are lost at work each year because of stress at work; with absence in the workplace currently costing the country over £5 billion annually. Employers do have a legal duty to protect their workers from stress in the workplace by carrying out a risk assessment and acting on it. Stress can be triggered by so many different factors, but industry figures estimate about three to five UK workers consider their workloads to be excessive, often with daily struggles to meet deadlines.

People also bring homerelated stress into the workplace. Although employers are not legally responsible for stress that originates in the home, well-managed organisations will have arrangements that allow them to address it. This might include such things as access to counselling services and tweaking or changing working hours.

Here are some tips for businesses on addressing, and measures to prevent, stress in the workplace:

• A regular delivery of fresh fruit;

• Supplement yoga, gym or mindfulness classes;

• Encourage cycle to work initiatives with rewards for a more active commute;

• Introduce flexible working arrangements or remote/ home-based working;

•An open door management policy for staff to come and discuss any issues;

• eEngaging with staff to form a project team to consider suggestions of stress relieving initiatives that work best for everyone.