What does a stressed workplace look like?

In its report Work Stress (2017), the UK National Stress Network suggests that highly stressful workplaces are “dysfunctional” because “they work to the benefit neither of the employee nor of the employer” (http://www.workstress.net/sites/default/files/stress.pdf). Instead of taking action to prevent stress, too often managers or employers make excessive demands, neglect their common-law duty of care, and clearly ignore the cost to their organisations of sick pay, long-term absence, reduced productivity and potential claims for compensation by workers made ill by their negligence.

Work Stress suggests that a dysfunctional workplace can be caused by:

• use of technology to control, monitor and track workers;

• the threat of, or actual, violence (verbal and/or physical abuse);

• lack of a clear job description or chain of command;

• job insecurity;

• lack of an understanding leadership;

• cuts in government and local government funding leading to increased workloads;

• a long-hours culture;

• lack of recognition or reward for good job performance;

• lack of opportunity to voice complaints;

• managers not listening to, or acting on, complaints;

• lack of employee representation and consultation;

• lack of control;

• lack of opportunity to use personal talents or abilities;

• inadequate time to complete tasks to personal or company standards;

• unreasonable workload;

• unremitting or prolonged pressures;

• confusion caused by conflicting demands; and

• misuse of procedures — including disciplinary, performance and absence.