'Always on' workers suffering for their commitment.
Unfortunately, stress has become a common state of being in the United Kingdom, as 82 per cent of people experience it at least once throughout an average week, according to the marketing research company, OnePoll.
One cause for this new ‘norm’ can be attributed in part to the sense of obligation to always be available for work-related matters—even after hours. In fact, 59 per cent of employees admitted to taking calls outside work and 55 per cent admitted to checking their email after hours. While employers may find this devotion heartening, it can be dangerous, as this type of workplace culture can cause serious employee burnout.
Left unaddressed, this type of workplace culture can cause employees to experience detrimental physical and mental health effects, including the following:
- Insomnia, anxiety or depression
- Low morale, short temper and headaches
- Stomach or back problems
To ensure that your organisation is able to provide a workplace culture that emphasises low stress and supports mental health, consider doing the following:
- Review employee expectations to ensure they are reasonable. Rely on free stress at work guidance from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service.
- Complete the HSE’s stress risk assessment at least every other quarter to promptly address any potential stressors early on before they become worse.
Consider purchasing the HSE’s stress indicator tool, which measures the attitudes and perceptions of your employees towards work-related stress.
Don't stress about risk management - consult with Bollington
With a range of risk management solutions available, Bollington can help businesses to maintain a healthy working environment. Call us on 0161 929 1851 to discuss bespoke risk management solutions for your business.
