Stress Awareness and Management: Why Compliance Training Matters

In today’s fast-paced world, stress is a constant companion. But while it might feel inevitable, letting stress run unchecked can have serious consequences for both your employees and your business. April is Stress Awareness Month so here at Health Academy we are keen to outline why compliant training, like our IOSH-approved Stress Awareness & Management course, is crucial in ensuring healthy employees and employers.

 The High Cost of a Stressed-Out Workforce

Stress isn’t just a personal issue. It’s a major financial burden for businesses too. A staggering 15.4 million working days were lost in the UK last year due to stress-related illness, costing employers an estimated £34-£43 billion.

Case Study: Heavy Workload Takes a Toll

Consider the legal case highlighted by Brachers LLP, where an employee, Tom, successfully sued his employer for work-related stress that led to depression. Over several years, Tom was assigned an unrealistic workload and increasing responsibilities without the necessary resources or support. This constant pressure resulted in a breakdown in his mental health. After a lengthy legal battle, Tom was awarded compensation amounting to almost £300,000 after he developed severe depression leading to a nervous breakdown.

This case highlights the real and significant consequences employers can face if they fail to address workplace stress. Not only can it lead to employee health problems, but it can also result in costly legal battles.

Case Study: The Importance of Reasonable Adjustments

Furthermore, a legal case in 2023 serves as a reminder of the importance of considering employee well-being when implementing work requirements. Employee A, a social worker, experienced anxiety due to the stress of being required by her employer to attend court. This anxiety, linked to a mental health condition, made it difficult for them to return to work despite being able to perform other aspects of their job. The court ruled that the employer should have considered reasonable adjustments, such as alternative arrangements for adhering to the new requirement, to support Employee A’s return to work.

Investing in Wellbeing Pays Off

Here’s the good news: investing in compliant stress awareness training can turn things around. By equipping your employees with the tools to identify and manage stress, you can:

• Reduce absenteeism and presenteeism (where employees are physically present but mentally checked out)
• Boost productivity and morale
• Improve employee retention
• Create a healthier and happier workplace.

Stress Awareness Training: A Proactive Approach

Our Stress Awareness & Management course is designed to be accessible and informative. In just 30 minutes, your employees will learn:

• The science of stress and its impact on the body and mind
• How to recognise the signs and symptoms of stress
• Practical stress management techniques to build resilience.

Don’t wait for stress to become a crisis. Invest in your employees’ wellbeing and your business success with compliant stress awareness and management training.

Check out our our Stress Awareness & Management Training