National Stress Awareness Day highlights the growing concern of workplace stress in the UK.
- A survey by CV-Library reveals over 60% of UK workers feel overworked.
- A significant number of employees resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms to manage stress.
- Fear of stigma prevents many workers from discussing stress with their employers.
- The need for proactive stress management in workplaces becomes increasingly urgent.
National Stress Awareness Day serves as a crucial reminder of the intensifying issue of workplace stress, as highlighted by a recent survey conducted by CV-Library. This survey, which engaged over 1,100 UK workers, found that an overwhelming 60.9% feel overworked. This statistic underscores a pressing need for addressing workload management within many organisations.
The survey results reveal a worrying trend among employees who turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms due to excess stress. Alcohol consumption and comfort eating are among the top five methods adopted by workers to manage stress, with a notable increase in comfort eating among women.
Despite the necessity for effective stress management, there remains a significant fear of stigma associated with discussing stress at work. The findings suggest that 15.8% of employees are uncomfortable disclosing stress-related absences to their employers, indicating a concerning barrier to open communication.
The most common stressors identified in the workplace include a feeling of being rushed to complete tasks, underappreciation, and dealing with poor management. Moreover, interpersonal issues such as working with lazy colleagues and the challenge of maintaining a work-life balance further contribute to workers’ stress levels.
The findings stress the importance of organisations taking proactive steps to manage and prevent stress. Activ Absence’s Adrian Lewis emphasises the need for early recognition and intervention, advocating for an improved understanding and dialogue around mental health in the workplace. Lee Biggins from CV-Library also highlights the detrimental effect of workplace stress on workers’ lives and the urgent need for cultural change to destigmatise mental health discussions.
The survey strongly suggests that to sustain a healthy workforce, the UK must prioritise effective stress management and mental health awareness in the workplace.
