Discussion Paper: ACAS - Stress and Anxiety at Work: Personal or Cultural?

As part of measures to mark Mental Health Awareness Week, intermediary organisation, ACAS, has published a Discussion Paper [Stress and Anxiety at Work: Personal or Cultural?], containing the results of its latest poll on workplace stress and anxiety.

Despite its open remit to see whether stress is more work-, or home-initiated, the results indicate blame for workplace stress continues to be put squarely at the door of organisations.

It finds more than 60% of employees who have felt stressed or have been anxious in the last 12 months cite their workload as being the key reason for it.

A further 42% said they didn’t feel they were managed adequately, compared to the 35% of staff who attributed stress to their home life.

The results also reveal:

• 33% think having a reduced workload would help them feel less stressed
• 26% want more flexible working opportunities
• 23% want more clarity around what they are required to do at work