Stress Awareness Month

Stress is not just pressure. Healthy pressure can motivate us to work at our best. Stress occurs when that pressure becomes too much to bear, often leading to more complicated conditions, including an increased risk of heart attacks or strokes.

The impact of austerity, the cost of living, unrealistic workloads, staffing shortages or a breakdown in workplace relations can all have a severe impact on a person’s stress levels. Chronic stress can then lead to anxiety or depression.

The cost to the workforce is massive. An estimated 22 million working days were lost in the UK last year due to work-related stress.

Stress builds slowly. If left unchecked, the problems can soon affect every part of your life. Stress can also exacerbate other underlying conditions, such as fibromyalgia.

Earlier this year, research from the TUC showed that 79% of workplace health and safety reps cited stress as a major hazard. Despite this unprecedented high, two thirds of reps were completely unaware of any stress risk assessments taking place in their workplaces.

PCS has published advice and guidance for reps and members on addressing stress in the workplace. If you're experiencing stress at work, talk to your PCS rep about what can be done to help.