Managing stress is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. Knowing how to do so can improve mental and physical well-being as well as minimise any exacerbation of health-related issues. As Stress Awareness Month begins, one people expert outlines five tell-tale signs of stress… and solutions.
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Businesses must be more vigilant about signs of stress in order to maintain a healthier and more productive workforce, a local HR specialist has warned employers.
Rachel Collar, owner of Haus of HR in Towcester, said that Stress Awareness Month is the perfect time for business owners to take a fresh look at their employees, the pressures they are facing and how they react.
“Burnout is a significant concern, impacting not only individual well-being but also overall business performance,” Rachel said.
Haus of HR has compiled a list of the five most common signs of burnout among any workforce:
Increased absenteeism Employees experiencing burnout may take more sick days, affecting overall productivity and team morale.
Decline in performance A noticeable drop in work quality, missed deadlines and decreased productivity can be indicators of burnout.
Emotional exhaustion Burnout often leads to emotional fatigue, causing employees to feel drained, irritable and disconnected.
Physical symptoms Chronic stress can manifest physically through headaches, fatigue and other health issues.
Withdrawal from colleagues Burnout may lead employees to disengage socially, avoiding interaction with colleagues and isolating themselves.
Haus of HR delivers outsourced HR services to businesses across the South East Midlands. Rachel, a non-executive director of Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “With a positive approach, it is easy to prioritise the wellbeing of your employees.”
Her advice to employers wanting to improve their support for the wellbeing of their staff:
Promote open communication Create an environment where employees feel comfortable expressing concerns about workload or stress.
Implement wellbeing initiatives Offer stress management workshops, counselling services or wellness programs to support employees.
Encourage work-life balance Foster a culture that values and promotes a healthy work-life balance, reducing the risk of burnout.
Regular check-ins Conduct regular one-on-one check-ins with employees to discuss workload, challenges and well-being.
Educate managers Ensure managers are trained to recognise signs of stress and equipped to support their team members effectively.