Page 25 - BOSS Today Issue 56

DOWN TO BUSINESS BOSS Today #56

STRESS…

AND HOW TO

DEAL WITH IT

e all know what it’s like to feel stressed, “Employers have an related stress in your employees, and
Wbut it’s not easy to pin down exactly are concerned that it is affecting their
what stress means. When we say things obligation to manage health and wellbeing, it’s time to talk
might be talking about situations or events work-related stress obligation to manage work-related stress
like “This is stressful!”, or “I’m stressed!”, we to them about it. Employers have an
that put pressure on us, or times when we by focusing on stress by focusing on stress prevention and early
have lots to do and think about or don’t intervention.
have much control over what happens. Or it prevention and early Encouraging an open culture, in
the feelings we get when we have demands intervention.” which employees feel like they can talk
is our reaction to being under pressure, like
to each other or to their managers will
placed on us that we find difficult to cope undoubtedly help alleviate stress in the
with. Recognising the signs of stress can help workplace.
employers to take steps to stop, lower Trained Mental Health First Aiders can
Signs of stress and manage stress in their workplace. support colleagues in times of need. They
Stress is not an illness, but it can make us ill. Managers should look out for signs of stress can also help manage varying degrees
Stress can cause mental health problems, in their teams and workers and should of mental health issues, recognise the
as well as make existing problems worse. think about whether any stress they may symptoms of stress, and give employees a
For example, experiencing lots of stress be feeling could be linked to work pressure. ‘go-to’ person in a time of crisis.
might contribute to the development of Alternatively, you could implement an
anxiety or depression. A traumatic period Causes of stress at work Employee Assistance Programme, in which
of stress could lead to post-traumatic Some of the most common causes of employees can approach an adviser in
stress disorder (PTSD). stress at work include long hours, a heavy confidence, and also have access to health
If workers start acting differently to workload, tight or unrealistic deadlines and wellbeing resources. This information
usual, it can be a sign they are stressed. and changes to duties. It could even should be clearly communicated and
They may start taking more time off, or be caused by uncomfortable furniture available to all staff.
continually arrive late for work, or be or broken equipment and tools that
twitchier and more nervous than usual. employees are required to use to perform * HSE – Work-related stress, anxiety, or
A change in the way someone thinks or their tasks. depression statistics in Great Britain, 2021
feels can also be a sign of stress: this could
include mood swings, being withdrawn, How to deal with it For further information, please contact
or a loss of motivation, commitment and Stress can get to the best of us, but if your BOSS HR Adviser. Details can be
confidence. you recognise the symptoms of work- found at bossfederation.com/HRcontact

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