In a recent survey, Southern Cross and Business New Zealand found that workers have experienced sharp increases in workplace stress over the past two years. Following their Wellness in the Workplace survey, the stress levels of 31.2% of employees have increased compared with only 8.3% of employees who have seen a decline in their stress levels. The survey found that those who reported an increase in workplace stress attributed this to excessive workloads, pressure to meet work targets, management style and long hours.

Positive wellbeing is not just about having a work-life balance; whilst that is important it is also about enjoying the work you do and being positively stimulated and challenged, being set realistic targets, receiving regular constructive and positive feedback and feeling valued and empowered the list goes on. Have this all in check and the rewards the employer reaps are magnificent! Employees are more likely to be highly productive, ‘go the extra mile’, be engaged, have great attendance at work and be an ambassador for their employer to the external world.

What is work stress? It is the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other type of demand placed on them at work. Stress is usually not an illness it is a state of mind. However, if stress becomes too excessive and prolonged, mental and physical illness may develop (Source: HSE UK).

How do you recognize stress in an individual?

Many of the outward signs of stress in individuals should be noticeable to you. Look in particular for changes in a person’s mood or behaviour, such as deteriorating relationships with colleagues, irritability, indecisiveness, lateness, absenteeism or reduced performance. Those suffering from stress may also smoke or drink alcohol more than usual or even turn to drugs. They might also complain about their health: for example they may get regular headaches or have difficulty in sleeping.

In 2016, Work Safe New Zealand published their 10 year strategic plan for work related health. ‘Healthy Work’ outlines their vision for a New Zealand in which everyone who goes to work comes home not just safe but healthy too! It is unacceptable and morally wrong that illness and in some cases even death continues to happen among New Zealand workers, especially when it is preventable.

Work Safe are confident that improved management of work-related health risks would bring multiple benefits to New Zealand, including those set out in the infographic below.

What can you do to mitigate the risk?

It all starts and ends with your organisation’s culture.

• Make sure work load is manageable
• Regularly meet with your employees giving plenty of positive praise
• Communicate regularly with your employees on organisational news
• Discourage employees from emailing outside of work hours
• Encourage regular breaks and an opportunity for employees to get to know each other
• Provide fresh fruit and water for your employees
• Offer services from an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Hold Wellness events at work
• Make work fun! Have morning teas where you can also support local charities, take your team out for lunch or incorporate exercise into team events such as the Baker Tilly Staples Rodway challenge.

Contact one of our HR Consultants to discuss your organisational development needs or Wellbeing intervention initiatives.