Almost three in ten workers (28%) believe their employer is not
effective at managing workplace stress, according to a new survey
by workplace expert, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration
Service (Acas).
To Mark Stress Awareness Month in April, Acas commissioned YouGov
to ask employees in Britain about whether they feel that their
organisation is effective at managing work-related stress.
The poll also found that 37% of employees felt that their
workplace was effective at managing stress and 9% didn't know.
Acas Interim Chief Executive Dan Ellis said:
“It is encouraging that there are employers that are good at
managing stress, but it is concerning that nearly three in ten
employees think that their workplace falls short.
“Stress can affect anyone, and the impacts can be severe. It is
hugely important for employers to be able to spot the signs of
stress and provide support to staff.
“Acas has advice on how bosses can identify the signs of stress,
support staff who need help and create environments at work where
staff feel they can talk openly about it.”
According to the Health and Safety Executive, 16 million working
days were lost in 2023/24 due to stress, depression or anxiety.
Stress can be caused by a variety of factors such as demands of
the job, relationships at work, poor working conditions or
change. Life events outside of work can also cause stress such as
a bereavement in the family or financial worries over the cost of
living.
Creating a positive work environment by preventing work-related
stress can have huge benefits to an organisation, such as:
-
make employees healthier and happier at work
-
improve performance and make employees more productive
-
reduce absence levels
-
reduce workplace disputes
-
make the organisation more attractive to job seekers.
Acas advice for employers on managing stress at work includes:
-
look out for any signs of stress among staff
-
be approachable, available and have an informal chat with
staff who are feeling stressed
-
respect confidentiality and be sensitive and supportive when
talking to staff about work-related stress
-
communicate any internal and external help available to staff
such as financial advice if the cost of living is a cause of
stress
-
have clear policies, encourage staff to raise their concerns
and provide training to managers.
The signs of stress can include:
Read our full advice on managing
work-related stress
Ends
Notes to editors
1. Acas commissioned YouGov to poll employees in
a representative sample of British businesses. The survey was
carried out online and the total sample size was 1,052 employees
in Great Britain. Fieldwork was undertaken between 16-24 January
2025. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc
and have been weighted and are representative of British business
size and region.
2. Participants were asked whether their
organisation is effective at managing work-related stress.
Results:
7%: Strongly agree
29%: Tend to agree
26%: Neither agree nor disagree
18%: Tend to disagree
10%: Strongly disagree
9%: Don't know
0%: Prefer not to say
Net agree: 37%
Net disagree: 28%
3. https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/dayslost.htm
4. Acas is the leading authority on
workplace relations and dispute resolution in Great Britain. We
provide free, impartial advice to employers and employees on
workplace rights, rules and best practice. We also provide
training and tailored support for businesses that can help them
succeed. Acas is a non-departmental public body that is
governed by an independent Council made up of employers, employee
representatives and independent members.
