Workers feel stress when they can’t cope with pressures and other issues. Employers should match demands to workers’ skills and knowledge. For example, workers can get stressed if they feel they don’t have the skills or time to meet tight deadlines. Providing planning, training and support can reduce pressure and bring stress levels down.
Stress affects people differently – what stresses one person may not affect another. Factors like skills and experience, age or disability may all affect whether a worker can cope.
There are six main areas of work design which can affect stress levels. You should manage these properly. They are:
Causes of stress at work
There are six main areas that can lead to work-related stress if they are not managed properly.
These are:
For example, workers may say that they:
Stress affects people differently – what stresses one person may not affect another. Factors like skills and experience, age or disability may all affect whether a worker can cope.
Stress is not an illness, but it can make you ill. Recognising the signs of stress will help employers to take steps to stop, lower and manage stress in their workplace.
Signs of stress in teams
Signs of stress in a worker
A change in the way someone acts can be a sign of stress, for example they may:
A change in the way someone thinks or feels can also be a sign of stress, for example:
