Acas has launched new advice for employers on managing stress after a third of British workers (33%) believe that their organisation is not effective at managing work-related stress.
Acas commissioned YouGov to ask employees in Britain about whether they feel that their organisation is effective at managing work-related stress.
Stress can be caused by a variety of factors such as demands of the job, relationships at work, poor working conditions or change. Life events outside of work can also cause stress such as a bereavement in the family or financial worries over the cost of living.
Creating a positive work environment can help reduce work stress and can reap huge benefits to an organisation, such as:
- make employees healthier and happier at work
- improve performance and make employees more productive
- reduce absence levels
- reduce workplace disputes
- make the organisation more attractive to job seekers
Acas advice for employers on managing stress at work includes:
- look out for any signs of stress among staff
- be approachable, available and have an informal chat with staff who are feeling stressed
- respect confidentiality and be sensitive and supportive when talking to staff about work-related stress
- communicate any internal and external help available to staff such as financial advice if the cost of living is a cause of stress
The signs of stress can include:
- poor concentration
- finding it hard to make decisions
- being irritable or short tempered
- tearfulness
- tiredness
- low mood
- avoiding social events
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