Work-related stress: Spotting the symptoms

Work-related stress can occur in any job, level, and sector.

While stress can be a good thing for productivity and creativity, there is a fine line between a healthy amount of stress and a toxic amount that negatively affects one's mental health

Spotting the signs early allows employers to have more control over the situation, to step in and find ways to manage or remove any unnecessary stressors in the workplace.

Realistically, some stressors cannot be removed, so investing in stress management is a must to ensure a happy, healthy, and engaged workforce.

Signs of stress in the workplace

A change in behaviour

Changes in behaviour do not automatically mean stress, but any changes need to be noted and addressed by leadership teams. Signs to look out for in an employee can be spotted by observing their actions, behaviour, and interaction with others.

Certain behaviours may be typical for one individual and may be a sign of stress for another. There is no one-size-fits-all list that can apply to every individual, but we can look at common symptoms and ask ourselves if we have spotted the following changes:

• Loss or increase in appetite

• Procrastinating or avoiding responsibilities

• More use of drugs, alcohol or cigarettes

• Nervous behaviours like nail-biting, fidgeting or pacing

Because people handle stress very differently, symptoms of stress can vary, and symptoms can be vague or the same as those caused by medical conditions. Hence, employers who create an environment where employees feel safe and empowered to engage in honest communication will benefit from higher productivity.

Withdrawn and disengaged

Stress tends to cause people to isolate themselves. This reaction is often used to feel in control of the situation or to cope with a stressful social situation, such as reaching out to someone for mental health support.

Their confidence may have taken a hit as they realise that they are unable to manage their feelings on their own, and as a result, they avoid anything that might push or exacerbate these feelings. Employers and business leaders can co-create goals with employees that are meaningful and measurable and show that individual successes are connected to the business's success.

Accidents or more frequent mistakes

Prolonged stress, or burnout, can manifest itself as inefficiency or a decline in work output. Employees who might have been highly engaged at one point but did not have the mental health training to preserve their well-being are more likely to produce work with mistakes or miss deadlines altogether.

Between 60 and 80 per cent of workplace accidents result from stress-induced issues. Stress at work not only impacts employee health but also affects workplace safety. Often, stress results in accidents in the workplace because stress causes individuals to think about a problem rather than be attentive to their surroundings.

How can employers put support in place for their workforce?

• Understanding what leads to stress

• Identifying signs and symptoms

• Practical tips and exercises for managing stress

• Peer support