HR FOCUS
THE STRESS FACTOR
Despite new modern ways of working, stress levels continue to rise in the UK. Colin Stuart, Managing Director of workplace consultancy, Baker Stuart, offers guidance on how changes to workplace practices, environments and culture can combat stress.
Over recent years, the modern working environment has changed considerably. Functionality of the office has improved, comfort and appearance have been enhanced, and the introduction of flexibility has also enabled many employers to abolish the limitations of conventional working hours. In addition, mobile technology and cloud computing offer us the freedom to deem any space we choose to be a workplace.
However, despite these improvements, workplace stress is on the rise, with the number of cases reaching unprecedented levels. In 2011 a survey from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) showed that, for the very first time, stress was named as the number one cause of long-term absence in the UK.
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The CIPD’s subsequent survey in 2014 also revealed that this issue is not improving, stating that 40% of employers are still seeing an increase in reported mental health problems.
Last year, the total number of working days lost due to stress was 11.3 million, with an average of 23 days per case. The cost of this is estimated to be as high as £6.5 billion per year. With 3 in every 10 employees having a mental health problem in any single year, it’s clear we face a widespread epidemic.
Whilst pressure is a critical element of how we work, reach our targets and meet deadlines, too much will negatively impact our lives, careers and most importantly, our health. In order to beat widespread stress we must reassess modern working practices, our cultural
perceptions of work and our existing workplace environments.
TIME TO TURN OFF! Whilst the wonders of mobile
technology have revolutionised the way we work, they have also brought with them a problem that affects us in our millions. We can no longer switch off. This is an enormous contributor to the increase in workplace stress. Failing to switch off means the lines between our personal lives and work become blurred. The 'always on' culture also means that our minds never properly rest, causing stress levels to soar. Despite this, many organisations still view ‘switching off’ as unprofessional.
According to Unum’s ‘The Future Workplace’ report, 73% of British
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