Work-related Stress, Depression and Anxiety

Statistics recently released by the HSE show that workplace stress, depression, and anxiety continue to be major issues. Despite a drop from an estimated 875,000 workers suffering from work-related stress, depression, or anxiety in 2022/23 to 776,000 in 2023/24, the rate is still significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels. The HSE estimates that over the past year there were 300,000 new cases of work-related stress, depression, or anxiety with a total of 16.4 million working days lost as a result of the conditions.

The HSE has continued to put managing work-related stress, depression, and anxiety at the forefront of their agenda by providing resources and raising awareness of events like stress awareness week.

The HSE identifies six critical areas that, if not managed effectively, can contribute to work-related stress:

1. Demands: Workload, working patterns, and work environment.
2. Control: The degree of autonomy workers have over how they perform their tasks.
3. Support: Encouragement, resources, and support provided by the organisation, manager, and colleagues.
4. Relationships: Managing conflicts and promoting positive working relationships.
5. Role: Ensuring employees understand their role within the organisation and preventing role conflicts.
6. Change: Managing organisational change effectively and involving employees in the process.

Employers are encouraged to monitor for signs that employees may be experiencing stress. These indicators can include:

• Increased arguments or conflicts.
• Higher rates of absenteeism or sick leave.
• Decreased performance or productivity.
• Frequent complaints, including direct expressions of stress.

Employers are legally required to assess the risk of stress in the workplace and take appropriate steps to manage it if identified. This may include:

• Developing a mental health at work plan tailored to the organisation’s needs.
• Providing training for managers and staff to identify and manage stress.
• Offering access to counselling services or employee assistance programs.
• Implementing flexible working arrangements to accommodate individual needs.

If you have any questions or would like support with managing issues at your workplace, please speak to your usual contact or get in touch using the form below.