Stress in the Workplace

Workplace stress is a common issue in the UK, 13.7 million working days are lost each year in the UK because of work-related stress, anxiety, and depression, costing £28.3 billion yearly, according to research from NICE. , According to the CIPD, the leading causes of workplace stress include heavy workloads, long hours and job insecurity. Consequently, it’s important for employers to recognise the impact of stress on their employees and take steps to combat it. This can include providing resources for stress management, offering flexible work arrangements, and creating a supportive and positive work environment. In fact, research from Business in the Community found that organisations with a positive approach to employee well-being are twice as likely to report increased levels of employee engagement, compared to those without.

So what are we doing to support the mental wellbeing of our colleagues?

At BIC Innovation, we recognise the importance of managing stress in the workplace. The statistics about mental health are stark: one commonly quoted statistic is that 1 in 4 of us will suffer a mental health issue at some point in our lives. The mental health charity MIND estimates that 1 in 6 workers experience common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression and that work is the biggest cause of stress in people’s lives, more so than debt or financial problems.

We make no apology that our team members take a well-deserved wellbeing day each year – a designated day for our team to recharge themselves; this is by way of a very small “thankyou” to a team of exceptional colleagues who go above and beyond. This year on St David’s Day our team put on their “out of office” and took a well-deserved day to focus on whatever supports their wellbeing.

This year, for Stress Awareness Month we launched a stress awareness month calendar to provide different ways each day to help relieve stress. This calendar includes activities such as yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, and more. We believe that by making small changes to our daily routines, we can reduce the impact of stress on our lives.

The calendar has been positively received by our employees, with one employee commenting,

“I’ve been doing the breathing exercises every day, and it’s really helped me to feel more relaxed and focused.”

Mental Health Training and Awareness Course

In addition to our annual wellbeig day and stress awareness month calendar, we’ve also undertaken a Mental Health Training and Awareness course. This course has been extremely beneficial to our employees. It’s helped us to identify signs of stress in ourselves and our colleagues, and to develop effective strategies to manage it. We’ve also learned how to support each other and create a positive work environment that promotes mental health and well-being.

The course has had a significant impact on our workplace culture, with staff reporting feeling more confident in supporting colleagues with mental health issues. One employee commented,

“The course has given me the tools and confidence to support my colleagues who are struggling with stress or other mental health issues. It’s made a real difference in our workplace.”

As a small business, these are just a few of the actions we’ve taken to support the mental wellbeing of our colleagues.

Conclusion

Stress awareness month is an important opportunity to reflect on the impact of stress on our lives and to learn strategies to manage it effectively. At BIC Innovation, we’re committed to creating a positive work environment that promotes mental health and well-being. We believe that by prioritising employee well-being, we can create a more productive, engaged, and successful organisation.

As employers, it’s important to recognise the impact of stress in the workplace and take steps to combat it. By providing resources for stress management and creating a supportive work environment, we can help our employees to thrive and succeed. Let’s use this month to reflect on our own stress levels and to take action to manage it effectively. Remember, small changes can make a big difference in reducing the impact of stress on our lives!