Wellbeing in a post-Covid world

Recognising stress at work 

Stress can affect individuals, work teams and the entire workplace. 

There are six main areas that can lead to work-related stress if they are not managed properly. These are: demands, control, support, relationships, role and change. Factors like skills and experience, age or disability may all affect whether an employee can cope. 

Employers and managers should observe and listen for stress cues. This will allow earlier intervention and a reduction in stress levels in the workplace. 

Many healthcare professionals will not openly admit that they are stressed. Employees may say that they: 

• Are not able to cope with the demands of their jobs 
• Are unable to control the way they do their work 
• Don’t receive enough information and support 
• Are having trouble with relationships at work, or are being bullied 
• Don’t fully understand their roles and responsibilities 
• Are not engaged or involved when a business is undergoing change.