Workplace Stress – Not to be ignored…

Stress

Stress – state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances.

I am pretty sure all of us have experienced stress in some form, at some point throughout our lives. Many of life’s demands can cause stress. This maybe something temporary and short lived, such as being briefly in a situation where we feel uncomfortable, however medium to long term stress factors (work, relationships, money worries) can have a severe affect on our lives.

Stress can and will affect us all differently. 

Work related stress, depression or anxiety is defined as a harmful reaction that people have due to undue pressures and demands placed on them at work. Estimates from the Labour Force Survey identify that the total number of work related stress, depression or anxiety in 2014/15 was 440,000 cases. The total number of days lost equated to approximately 9.9 million days.

The main factors cited as causing work related stress were workload pressures, tight deadlines, too much responsibility, lack of support from management, violence and role uncertainty (lack of clarity about job/uncertain what role involves).

Far too often within the field of health and safety, not enough emphasis is put on workers mental health. Accident (safety) statistics have continued to improve since records began helped with vast improvements in safe working environments, processes and worker engagement. Little, in comparison, seems to be done when we consider the approach the health and wellbeing of the workforce.

Stress at work is known to be a significant cause of absence from work; however evidence suggests that stress can contribute to accidents and injury at work. Stress can affect your ability to think and make good judgement, which in turn can make you more likely to cause/have an accident within the workplace.

Stress can affect how you feel, think, behave and how your body works. Common signs of stress include sleeping problems, sweating, loss of appetite and difficulty concentrating. You may also feel anxious and irritable, worry constantly or go over things in your head.

If you feel that you are not coping or notice that a colleague is showing signs of stress, speak with a supervisor or manager. They can help identify areas of your work that are causing stress and adjust your work accordingly. Again, if the stress source is from outside of work, they may be able to help by adjusting your work. It may also help to talk to you Doctor/GP.

Feel free to contact us for a FREE copy of our Stress Campaign Poster.

If you require further information, please get in touch.  support@completefoodsafety.co.uk