Stress is the feeling of being overwhelmed or unable to cope with mental or emotional pressure
Stress is a feeling of being under abnormal pressure. This pressure can come from different aspects of an individual’s day-to-day life, such as an increased workload, a major change in life or relationship or financial worries. A recent study by the Stress Management Society found that 65% of people in the UK feel more stressed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The main issues reported were feelings of disconnection, uncertainty and a worrying loss of control.
During these situations a person may feel threatened or upset and their body might create a stress response. This can cause a variety of physical and emotional symptoms, change the way they behave, and lead them to experience more intense emotions, which can often come out in the workplace.
Over the last few weeks we have all seen the posts on social media around Stress Awareness Month, highlighting that it is normal to feel stressed from time-to-time. It’s not a taboo subject and that it should be discussed more often, especially with your employees.
With so much going on outside of work that can add stress to people’s lives, it’s important that we are doing all we can as employers to reduce stress in the workplace. Some tips to try:
Encourage employees to take timeout
Whether it’s a holiday, a long weekend or simply a lunchtime stroll to recharge. Encouraging employees to take time out will help them to manage stress and be more focussed on their return to work. Also, put processes in place so that they won’t arrive back from leave with a huge workload that will erode the benefit of a break in the first place.
Create a designated lunch area
Provide an area of the office where people can eat lunch away from their desks. Eating “al-deskco” is bad for your waistline (mindless overeating), your posture, but also your mental wellbeing as your brain doesn’t get a break. It’s far too easy to “just read that last email” as you eat lunch.
Start the conversation around wellbeing
Ask your staff in appraisals how they are coping at present. Some questions to try: “How manageable is your workload at present?”; “What helps you switch off at the end of the day”; “how do you feel about your current deadlines – are they realistic”; and crucially, “What can I do to support you?”.
Encourage your employees to talk to each other about wellbeing and stress. This will help them feel less alone and have people to turn to in the workplace during stressful times.
Always plan ahead
Where possible, allow people time to plan ahead. Don’t drop last minute, “urgent” deadlines on them. This healthy habit makes it easier to deal with new situations.
Encourage your employees to develop outside interests that will help with stress
Eating healthily (swap the Friday “treat lunch” for something healthier), increasing exercise (perhaps suggest you do something as a team, we tried Couchto5K recently), and encourage other wellbeing activities, such as practising the art meditation and mindfulness. Building consistent and healthy habits can help us feel more grounded when things get tough.
Offer flexible working
Offering flexible working, both hours and location if you can. This will improve your employees work-life balance, meaning they are less likely to bring outside stress into the workplace. It will also help to better manage their workload and reduce stress levels in the workplace.
Create a supportive and healthy work environment
Supply fresh fruit in the workplace to encourage healthy eating, provide access to mental health resources and offer stress management initiatives. All our employees have access to Westfield Health, which gives them free eye tests, access to health checks, counselling sessions and discounts on some of their everyday spending to relieve financial stresses.
It’s natural to feel stressed at times, and a little pressure can help keep us focused on our goals, but as long as that is kept at a manageable amount.
What are your thoughts? Is there anything that you do with your team that you have found works? Please let us know by getting in touch with us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook.
About Us
The Eventus Recruitment Group are award-winning specialists in the Finance, Accountancy, Legal and HR sectors. We have an experienced and knowledgeable team of industry experts, who are passionate about finding the best candidates to help businesses thrive.
If you are recruiting or are looking for your next role, get in touch for a confidential discussion.
To submit a job to us please click here, or to view our latest job vacancies, please click here.
Blog by Amy Watson – Associate Director
Amy oversees legal recruitment in Yorkshire and the North East.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the service I was provided by Eventus, specifically Amy Watson. Amy kept me updated throughout the recruitment process, ensuring that I was well equipped and providing me with the confidence required to be successful in securing a new job. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Eventus again for in the future and would highly recommend them to both friends and family.”– Liz Winchester, successful legal candidate.
Further Reading
Managing Stress Linked to Work and our Careers