April is widely recognised as Stress Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign held every April, starting in 1992, to increase public awareness about the causes, effects, and management of stress. Stress Awareness Month can be a timely reminder for organisations to take a closer look at how they support their employees’ wellbeing.
While conversations around mental health in the workplace are becoming more and more common, many organisations still take a reactive approach to the matter, rather than a proactive one. Some companies see it as a tick-box exercise for when things like Stress Awareness Month roll around. Overall, stress is often only addressed once it begins to impact workplace performance due to things like higher absence rates or a drop in employee morale.
According to Robert Walters, around 78% of UK professionals report feeling anxious when returning to work after annual leave. Monster Meter’s research says that about 50% of employees lose all feelings of relaxation on their first day back, feeling as if they had never been away.
So, returning to work after times like the Easter break or holidays can significantly increase an employee’s anxiety levels, making proactive workplace stress support more important than ever.
The Post-Break Pressure
We know that regular time away from work is essential for both rest and recovery, but the return to work can often present its own challenges, like the ‘Sunday Scaries‘, for example. This refers to a feeling of dread, anxiety, or tension that usually occurs on a Sunday evening as the next working week approaches.
Employees often find themselves thinking about returning to the following:
- An inbox full of new emails and tasks
- Tight deadlines, especially unexpected ones
- Changing priorities due to a new workload
- Increased expectations to quickly catch up
These worries can easily shift and grow, leading to feelings of overwhelm, which can often result in decreased productivity.
The Impact of Stress
Stress doesn’t just affect individuals in the workplace; it can follow them home too. But the impact of employee stress on an organisation may show up as:
- Higher rates of absenteeism
- Increased presenteeism within your organisation
- Reduced levels of productivity and focus
- Lower rates of employee engagement
- Increased staff turnover
By providing effective workplace stress support, you can mitigate these risks within the organisation.
Effective Workplace Stress Support
Supporting employees doesn’t require a complete overhaul. Instead, these small, consistent actions can make a big difference.
- Gradual Return to Work. Try to avoid overwhelming workers on their first day back to the office. Where possible, allow time to prioritise tasks and ease back into new workloads.
- Encourage Open Conversations. Create a workplace culture where all employees feel comfortable discussing their stress without fear of judgment. Line managers and team leaders play a key role here.
- Equip Employees with Practical Tools. Workshops, training, and resources can give employees the skills to manage pressure effectively, both in and outside of work.
- Spot Early Signs, as early intervention is crucial. Managers should be confident in recognising the changes in their employees’ behaviour that signal stress, following this with offering the appropriate support.
- Incorporate Wellbeing into Your Work Culture. Supporting stress shouldn’t just be highlighted around the time of an awareness campaign. Instead, try regular, monthly check-ins with staff.
The Next Step After Stress Awareness Month
Stress Awareness Month is the perfect opportunity to move from reactive to proactive support, but real impact comes from what happens after April.
If your organisation is noticing signs of stress, struggling with engagement, or simply wants to build a healthier, more resilient workforce, now is the time to act.
At The Better Health Generation, we work closely with organisations to understand their challenges. By delivering tailored workshops, practical training, and ongoing support, we can help create meaningful, lasting change.
Don’t wait until stress starts impacting performance, get in touch with us today.
