Agency Worker Health and Well-being Newsletter

Work-related stress is when the pressures of work become more than you can cope with. It can make you feel ill, both physically and mentally. Recognising the signs of work-related stress and dealing with it quickly can mean it will have less negative impact. Sometimes a certain amount of stress can be a positive and can help in motivating you to get through your workload.??

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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?
• Change?

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For example, workers 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 role and responsibilities.?

• Are not engaged when a business is undergoing change.?

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Stress affects people differently; what stresses one person may not affect another. Factors like skills and experience, age, or disability may all affect whether a worker can cope. By talking to your workers and understanding how to identify the signs of stress, you can prevent and reduce stress in your workplace. (Health and Safety Executive 2023).?

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Signs of stress:?

• Arguments
• Higher staff turnover
• More reports of stress
• More sickness absence
• Decreased performance?
• More complaints and grievances

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A change in the way someone acts can be a sign of stress. For example, they may:?

• Take more time off.?
• Arrive for work late.?
• Be twitchier or nervous.?

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A change in the way someone thinks or feels can also be a sign of stress. For example:?

• Mood swings.?
• Being withdrawn.?
• Loss of motivation, commitment, and confidence.?
• Increased emotional reactions – being more tearful, sensitive, or aggressive.?

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Workers can help look after their own stress levels at work - if you think you have a problem talk to your registered manager, a colleague, your GP, or a friend. This may also help you look at your colleague’s behaviour and help you be empathetic if they are showing signs of stress.?

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