Society as a whole uses the word 'stress' so flippantly; people say "I'm really stressed" when they actually mean "I'm under pressure". Too much pressure can tip over into stress, however. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) defines stress as "the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them. It arises when they worry they can't cope."

It has become very common for people to speak of and suffer stress. We live in a time often typified by a modern malaise, an era of ennui where stress seems to be a price we pay for the way we live and work. Stress is related to being a particular human subject in a set of work relations; it's not just a simple matter of chemicals in the body. 

We often hear that a little stress is a good thing - it can help us achieve our goals at work. But too much stress can trigger anxiety and depression and affect physical health. A survey published by the HSE stated that work-related stress, anxiety or depression accounted for an estimated 13.8 million reported lost working days in the UK during 2007. 

The common signs

Work-related stress reduces productivity and profit and increases management pressures through lost working days. What can be done? It is important to identify the common signs of stress at work. These can include increased irritability, heightened sensitivity to criticism, signs of tension, tiredness (due to difficulty getting to sleep and early morning waking), drinking and smoking more, indigestion, loss of concentration and poor decision-making. 

Under pressure

The mental health stigma causes employees to be reluctant to seek help in case they are seen as unable to cope. It is therefore best to address the situations that can lead to stress at work, before employees start to suffer. These include poor relationships with colleagues, an unsupportive boss, lack of control, consultation and communication, too much interference with private lives, too much pressure, too much work, unrealistic deadlines, undervaluing, and the threat of unemployment.

When employees feel under a lot of pressure at work, they often work harder, trying to close the gap between what they are achieving and what they think they should be achieving. They lose touch with their own needs. It is therefore important to address work-related stress and promote an organisational culture where employees are encouraged to talk to someone they trust about stress, either inside or outside the organisation. 

Encourage your employees to discuss problems with a manager. If difficulties cannot be resolved, make employees aware that they can talk to their personnel department, trade union or other sources of help. Treat your employees with the respect and consideration you expect from them.

Contract a counselling service for your employees to use when they need to. Ask a consultant to run a workshop on stress or addiction to alcohol, smoking and drugs. 

Consult your employees on how their work environment can be more comfortable and suited to their needs. You could encourage your employees to work regular hours and take all the breaks and holidays they are entitled to and if things get too much, suggest they book a day off or a long weekend.

Offering flexitime allows employees to avoid rush-hour travel and accommodate their childcare needs. Encourage exercise through work-funded gym membership and find ways to promote healthy eating to combat stress. 

Make it stress-free

Lead the way in encouraging a work culture where stress can be talked about openly, so that your employees can be signposted to help early on. This is crucial as stress can get worse if left untreated, at great cost to employers through lost working days.

Stress is a symptom, not the cause of a problem.
 
Richard Snowdon is a BACP Accredited Counsellor and Psychotherapist, and can be contacted via www.rscpp.co.uk