Bupa Global - Dealing with stress in the workplace

DEALING WITH STRESS IN THE WORKPLACE

Executive Healthcare

WILL EXPERIENCE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

The issue

Source: NHS Adult Psychiatric morbidity in England, 2007 (accessed September 2016)

1 IN 4 ADULTS

EVERY YEAR,

#1Source: CIPD Absence Management 2015 (Number one cause of long-term absence for non-manual workers)

STRESS IS THE

CAUSE OF LONG-TERM ABSENCE

FROM THE WORKPLACE.

The issue

Common conditions like stress, anxiety and

depression result in mental ill-health, costing

the UK economy an estimated

The issue

Source: OECD Mental Health at Work

(4.5 per cent of GDP)

according to the OECD.

£70 BILLION A YEAR

SO WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF WORKPLACE STRESS?

WHAT IMPACT COULD IT HAVE ON YOUR BUSINESS?

AND WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?

Difficulty coping with demands

Bad relationships

Loss of control

Lack of clarity around role

Lack of support

Resistance to change

SIX KEY CONTRIBUTORS TO WORKPLACE STRESS:

Source: HSE Management Standards

Causes

Source: Mind (2014)

“30% of employees said they wouldn’t be able to talk openly with their line manager if they were stressed.”

Causes

• Increased absenteeism

• Reduced talent retention

• Lowered workplace morale

• Impaired leadership, productivity & safety

The cost of stress

STRESS CAN HAVE A VARIETY OF MAJOR IMPLICATIONS FOR BUSINESSES.

Source: Mayor of London – London Mental Health

£26BN A YEAR

Mental ill-health costs London employers

The cost of stress

PRODUCTIVITY COULD BE TAKING A HIT TOO.

Source: Health and Safety Executive Work related Stress, Anxiety and Depression Statistics in Great Britain 2015

9.9 MILLION WORKING DAYSwere lost in the UK in 2015 due

to stress, depression or anxiety.

The cost of stress

Businesses with highly engaged

staff have the potential to

Source: Corporate Leadership Council – Driving Performance and Retention Through Employee Engagement

REDUCE STAFF TURNOVER BY

87%

The cost of stress

THE HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE

HAS GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW,

BUT BUSINESSES SHOULD LOOK

TO CONSIDER THE IMPACT OF:

• Everyday demands of jobs

• Levels of control

• Support processes

• Work & home relationships

• The impact of workplace change

WHAT CAN BUSINESSES DO ABOUT IT?

#1BUILD A SUPPORTIVE CULTURE

What can businesses do about it?

Encouraging an open and honest

culture means that staff can feel more

comfortable coming forward with

potential concerns, free from any

stigma attached to talking about stress –

especially at more senior levels.

#2COACH & TRAIN MANAGERS

What can businesses do about it?

Ensuring managers and leaders that

have good relationships with staff are

trained to support them by identifying

and minimising sources of stress can

be really positive.

It’s very important you iron out the details

of your company strategy, guidelines and

responsibilities and commit these to paper.

Not only will this ensure that you have an

effective and consistent approach to tackling

stress, but staff will also be more likely to be

engaged and aware of the policies and convinced

of the benefits to the wider team.

What can businesses do about it?

#3OUTLINE STRESS MANAGEMENT POLICIES

#4CONCENTRATE ON EDUCATION, LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT

What can businesses do about it?

Equip staff with the ability to recognise the

signs of stress both in themselves and their

colleagues, and give them the tools to manage

their reactions and alleviate the pressure.

Training is a preventative method that will

prove its value in the long term, lessening the

impact and cost implications of stress-related

issues within your business.

#5OFFER COUNSELLING & REHABILITATION

What can businesses do about it?

Providing access to welfare services

as part of an employee assistance

programme can help employees deal

with any issues they have, get them

healthy again and have them back

to work promptly.

BY HELPING EMPLOYEES ADOPT SOME

SIMPLE STEPS TO PROACTIVELY MANAGE

THEIR STRESS LEVELS, BUSINESSES CAN

SUPPORT THE EVOLUTION OF A HEALTHIER,

HAPPIER AND MORE PRODUCTIVE

WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT.

WHAT CAN EMPLOYEES DO ABOUT IT?

#1PUT HEALTH & WELLBEING FIRSTRemember that your wellbeing

is a priority, for yourself as

well as your employer. If you’re

stressed or unwell you won’t be

doing your best work.

What can employees do about it?

#2PRACTICE MEDITATION OR YOGAActivities that help you create a sense

of calm and focus are well known for

helping reduce cortisol (a hormone

released when you become stressed).

You don’t need to go to the gym or

change into your sports gear – just find

a quiet corner in the office to spend 10

minutes refocusing your mind.

What can employees do about it?

#3TRY TO BE MORE EMPATHETICImproving workplace communication

skills can be a great way to lessen stress

levels throughout your team. Learning

to interpret body language, for example,

is a proven way to prevent or reduce

stress in situations.

What can employees do about it?

Heightened levels of the cortisol hormone can

cloud your judgment and stop you from thinking

clearly. By concentrating on staying calm in the

face of stressful situations, as well as thinking

before you act, you’ll be better equipped to

make smarter decisions.

#4KEEP CALM

What can employees do about it?

#5DO MORE EXERCISEPhysical exercise of almost any kind

can act as a stress reliever by boosting

feel-good endorphins, helping to

distract you from worries or concerns.

Finding an activity you love and

doing it regularly can be a great way

to be social, challenging your routine

and minimising the ill-effects of stress.

What can employees do about it?

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EXECUTIVE HEALTHCARE

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