Rising Stress in the Workplace

Not all stress in the workplace is as a result of feeling overworked and unsupported.

It has recently been reported that in most markets, the majority of employees are caregivers.    Caregivers are those who have caregiving duties to children, parents, family members or friends. Most of us will have experienced the struggle of keeping all the balls in the air while maintaining an air of calm at work at some point in our working lives, all of which can be highly stress inducing.

Research has also shown that the generations with the highest percentage of working caregivers are millennials (born between the 1980s and 1990s)  and Gen-Xers (born between the 1960s and 1970s).      This has become particularly apparent following COVID, when employers had to respond with a greater focus on flexible working.   Therefore employers need to think of ways to continue to support these employees in order to retain business talent and prevent their employees from suffering “burnout” when their caregiving responsibilities threaten their ability to function well in their job.  Many businesses are wishing to return to  “normal” working and many are calling people back to work in the office, but it can be a balance of getting the best from your employees and ensuring that your business is functioning fully.

Ways in which tackling stress in the workplace could be achieved can be varied, from considering offering flexible working times and hybrid working along with digital health and family benefits.    Employers are obviously not expected to “fix the problem” for their employees; however benefits can be as simple as an app to encourage your employees to take time out for a daily short walk or a daily meditation, mind testing game to distract and help deal with anxiety.   The benefits of exercise are well documented and even a short walk can take your mind off worries, even for a short time.

A small amount of flexibility can offer a great deal of comfort to somebody struggling to deal with the tricky balance of caregiving and work, particularly if they are financially reliant on the income from their employment.

To find out more about how your organisation can support caregivers, please come along to our  FREE virtual coffee morning covering the subject of Mental Health in the workplace on 14 November 2023. If you would like to book onto this event, please click here to register.