Work-related stress
Work-related stress is the reaction people have to demands which exceeds their capacity and capability to cope. As part of a commitment to staff wellbeing, the University wants to identify and address the causes of work-related stress.
Symptoms of stress
Staff experiencing stress may have symptoms such as headaches, irritability, poor concentration, tiredness and anxiety. They may lose interest in their work, have difficulty making decisions, make more mistakes or have a lower resistance to infection.
Causes of stress
Stress can be caused or increased when:
- you feel you lack the skills to do your work properly
- there is conflict or ambiguity in your role
- you have little control over work or involvement in decision making
- difficult interpersonal relationships or conflicts are experienced at work
- conflicting demands at work and home exist with little practical support
- your job does not match your expectations of the role, or conflicts with your personal values
Impact of stress
Stress will impact on work performance and productivity and lead to increased absenteeism, staff turnover and accident rates. If stress is not addressed, staff may develop mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression, or physical health problems, such as heart disease, upper limb or digestive disorders.
Dealing with stress
- The first aspect of dealing with stress is recognising that it is occurring.
- Identify the causes.
- Talk to people who can help especially your manager as there are different things they can do to support you at work.
Support and resources
- We have created a page dedicated to Stress on the Wellbeing Directory (via Moodle)
- You can access the University's counselling services through the Employee Assistance Programme
- Springboard Development programme developed by women for women to develop individual potential, build on strengths and increase self-confidence.
- A wide range of recreational and sporting activities, as well as relaxation courses, are provided by Essex Sport.
- Liggy Webb have developed a helpful guide on burnout - how to avoid it and look after yourself
- The NHS have produced some useful information about stress, including additional resources and how to get help
Prevention
Stress could be prevented if you:
- talk to managers about your job and demands, ensuring that you are clear about your role and expectations
- prioritise your work load and manage your time effectively
- match your workload and pace to your abilities and training. Inform your manager if you are overloaded and ask for support
- ensure good communication with your colleagues and manager
- take initiative regarding your developmental needs and make use of training, support, and resources available
- support colleagues by providing appropriate information and sharing knowledge and resources
- ensure bullying and harassment is not tolerated
Impact on the department
It is generally accepted that the longer a member of staff is absent from work with stress, the harder it is for them to return. This will have a significant effect on their emotional and economic wellbeing and departments risk losing a valuable member of their team.
As a university that wants to be recognised for its world-class research, we cannot afford to lose the knowledge and expertise of our researchers, or the staff who support them. Absence of team members will increase pressure on other staff, making it harder for the team to meet its objectives or to give students a quality teaching experience.
Impact on the University
The University has to bear the costs of long-term sickness absences, ill-health retirements, the replacement and retraining of staff, and possible litigation. Stress is recognised as a health and safety issue and failure to address it could lead to enforcement action, impacting negatively on the University's reputation.
Stress Risk Assessment
You can speak with your manager about completing a stress risk assessment. This involves looking at current practice in relation to the HSE Management Standards and determining whether enough has been done to manage the risk of stress or whether more needs to be done. It can be done with between a manager and an individual or team and can be a formal process using a risk assessment form (.docx), or an informal discussion using the standards as a guide. If you do an informal assessment, you should still make a record of the outcomes.
To support with completing the Stress Risk Assessment, you can complete the following:
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Perceived Stress Assessment tool (.docx) – This is designed to measure individual stress levels by looking at how different situations affect feelings and thinking.
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Stressor Assessment Tool (.docx) – This questionnaire helps to identify the areas under the HSE Management Standards where support may be required
Occupational Health Advisors may recommend stress risk assessment for individuals who have been suffering stress. It is also a useful to carry out assessments for teams where there are stress related issues or are undergoing significant change.
If you need help with carrying out the stress risk assessment, contact the
