Anxiety in the Workplace: The High Cost of Ignoring It!

Tackling Anxiety Head-On: HR Guide for Mental Health Awareness Week 2023

This year the Mental Health Foundation is focussing the week on Anxiety. As Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 approaches (15th to 21st May), it's crucial to equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to create a supportive and anxiety-aware work environment.

Anxiety in the workplace is more prevalent than you may realize, impacting your employees' well-being and productivity. Recent research reveals that a staggering 3 in 5 professionals currently experience anxiety at work. As an employer, you hold the power to make a difference by creating a supportive environment that empowers your team to thrive.

The Stealthy Nature of Workplace Anxiety

In the workplace, anxiety often hides behind a veil, making it challenging to recognise. While employees may not exhibit overt symptoms, they may struggle with concentration and other aspects of their daily responsibilities. As an employer, it is crucial to remain vigilant, identify subtle indicators, and consider providing reasonable adjustments and support to those in need.

Why Businesses Need to Care About Anxiety

In a business, each team member plays a vital role in its success. Recognising that anyone can be affected by a mental health condition is crucial. While some individuals may not require specific workplace adjustments or support, others may benefit from assistance in managing their conditions effectively. By acknowledging and addressing anxiety, small businesses can foster a healthier and more productive work environment.

The Cost of Ignoring Anxiety in the Workplace

Ignoring workplace anxiety comes at a high cost, not only in terms of employee well-being but also for organisations as a whole. In 2022, the Health and Safety Executive emphasised the need for increased support for mental health in UK workplaces. Their annual statistics on work-related ill health and workplace injuries revealed that approximately 50% of cases were linked to stress, depression, and anxiety, resulting in an estimated 17 million lost working days. Moreover, anxiety-ridden employees are more likely to leave their jobs, contributing to the financial burden of staff turnover. The cumulative impact of absenteeism, presenteeism, and staff turnover due to poor mental health amounts to a staggering ￡56 billion per year (source: Deloitte Mental Health Research).

5 Strategies for Managing Anxiety in the Workplace

As an employer, it is your duty to prioritise the physical and mental well-being of your employees. Here are five effective strategies to support your team and foster a positive work environment:

1. Cultivate a Supportive Culture: Create an open communication culture where employees feel comfortable discussing their mental health with managers and colleagues. Promote well-being by offering healthy snacks, encouraging regular breaks and lunchtime walks, and integrating well-being discussions into one-on-one meetings.
2. Implement Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs): Consider providing your employees with access to an EAP. These programs offer advice lines, confidential counselling sessions, and valuable resources for managing anxiety and overall well-being. EAPs serve as a confidential support system outside the line management structure, enabling employees to seek assistance comfortably.
3. Train Mental Health First Aiders: Empower individuals within your organisation to become Mental Health First Aiders. Similar to physical first aiders, they can lend a listening ear and guide those struggling with their mental health to appropriate professional help. This initiative helps raise awareness, reduces stigma, and demonstrates your commitment to supporting well-being.
4. Provide Line Manager Training: Equip your managers with the tools to recognise signs of anxiety and engage in supportive conversations about mental health. Provide them with resources and training to facilitate open discussions and explore necessary adjustments to support those in need. Organisations like Mental Health UK offer valuable training and online courses tailored for managers.
5. Implement Reasonable Adjustments: Remember that individuals living with anxiety may be protected under the Equality Act 2010, as their condition can be considered a disability. Consequently, you have a legal obligation to consider reasonable workplace adjustments. Collaborate with your employees to identify their individual needs and explore adjustments such as workload prioritisation, flexible breaks, or assigning a mentor or buddy for support. ACAS has recently published a guide containing suggested reasonable adjustments for mental health that you can refer to.

Let's Make Workplace Anxiety a Thing of the Past!

Workplace Anxiety? Let Avensure help:

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If you fail to treat anxious employees fairly, they could end up quitting or raising claims for unfair treatment.

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Take proactive steps today and click here for a quick quote: Avensure Quick Quote!? Connect with our HR experts and prioritise your team's mental health.