What Is Stress?

Employers have a legal duty to protect workers from stress at work by doing a risk assessment and acting on it.

Stress is ‘the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them’

Workers feel stressed when they can’t cope with pressures and other issues. Employers should match demands to workers’ skills and knowledge.

 

Signs of Stress

Stress is not an illness, but it can make you ill, by noticing the signs of stress this will help employers manage stress within the workplace. Stress affects people differently, by talking to your employees, you can prevent stress in the workplace.

If workers start acting differently, it can be a sign that they are stressed signs of stress may be; arguments, higher staff turnover, more sickness absence, arriving late for work, being more nervous, more complaints and increased emotional reactions. Employers must assess the risks of work-related stress and take action to protect workers.

 

Stress Risk Assessment

Employers have a legal duty to protect employees from stress at work by doing a risk assessment and acting on it.

 

Mental Health Training

Having Mental Health first aiders can also be beneficial as trained staff, can identify and understand symptoms and will be able to support someone who might be experiencing a mental health issue.

 

How Can We help?

Mental Health Training:

Understanding Mental Health in the Workplace – Level 2

Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace – Level 3

Mental Health First Aid – eLearning

Mental health is just as important as physical health, yet whilst we know how to take care of our own physical health, many people do not know how to support relatives, friends and even colleagues who are experiencing poor mental health. By developing a greater understanding of common mental health issues, as well as how best to support and guide someone to professional help.

To ensure that your workplace raises awareness of mental health and develop understanding of how best to support, reassure and signpost colleagues to professional support. To promote positive mental health within the workplace mental health first aiders could help.