Workplace stress

New research suggests workplace stress is having a significant impact on employee wellbeing and organisational performance across the UK.

According to recent findings from the Trades Union Congress, almost eight in ten (79%) of union reps reported stress as one of the main concerns they face at work and that employers are routinely failing to assess or act on the risks.

And research from Astutis found that more than half of UK workers report making mistakes at work due to stress, while a quarter say they have called in sick at least once because of how overwhelmed they feel.

The findings arrive as the Health and Safety Executive official statistics for 2024/25 show work-related stress has reached record levels, with 964,000 workers reporting work-related stress, depression or anxiety (an unprecedented increase from previous years) resulting in 22 million working days lost.

What is stress?

Stress is the adverse reaction that people have to excessive pressure or demands that are placed on them.

Pressures, expectations, deadlines, the need to produce results and adapt to change are all part of our professional life. A certain amount of pressure can help us perform at our best and make us feel motivated and challenged. However, these periods need to be balanced with periods of relaxation where we can feel refreshed. It is when pressures are continuous, without respite, that stress can occur and have physical and psychological effects.

What are the causes of stress?

Stress is usually caused by a combination of factors, which together can feel overwhelming. These could be personal concerns such as family or relationship problems, financial difficulties or ill health.

At work, it could be caused by overwork, feeling unvalued, having little or no control over your working day, an unclear job role, or relationship difficulties with colleagues or managers, which may involve bullying or harassment. Factors such as noise, lack of space and heat can also contribute to feelings of stress.

What are the symptoms of stress?

Stress is the body’s natural response to pressure. This response can produce physical and emotional responses and can be caused by a host of different situations or life events. Stress affects people differently – what stresses one person may not affect another. Factors like skills and experience, age or disability may all affect whether an employee can cope.

Common symptoms of stress can include:

• Lack of concentration or focus

• Increased reliance on unhealthy coping habits such as alcohol, smoking and caffeine

• Aggressive outbursts or becoming short tempered with others

• Heart palpitations or shortness of breath

• Dizziness

• Panic attacks

• Nausea

• Fatigue and low mood.

What if I have a problem at work?

It is good to talk and it is important that you share any concerns you have. The earlier a problem is tackled the less impact it will have. Ideally you should talk to your manager or HR team if you have a problem. Your employer may also have an employee assistance programme or occupational health provider that you can use to help address any workplace stressors.

Where can I get more information?

The Health and Safety Executive has many resources to help with work-related stress, including: The Management Standards to help organisations comply with the law and identify and manage the six causes of stress at work; help for line managers to have simple, practical conversations with employees; and example stress risk assessments; Stress at work - HSE.

We carry out independent organisational stress surveys and assessments. Our insights inform employers where action is needed to improve organisational wellbeing and meet the stress management standards. We also carry out independent, individual stress risk assessments for employees.

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If you or your organisation need help managing stress related risk, get in touch by clicking on the 'Get in touch' button.