April is Stress Awareness Month, a time dedicated to understanding and addressing stress in our daily lives. Workplace stress remains a significant concern, affecting productivity, job satisfaction, and overall mental wellbeing. According to the 2025 Mental Health UK Burnout report, 68% of workers may not be adequately supported by their organisation when it comes to spotting signs of stress and preventing burnout, and 32% of workers do not feel comfortable letting their line manager or senior leader know about the high levels of pressure or stress in the workplace.
The impact of workplace stress
Workplace stress can manifest in various ways, from burnout and reduced efficiency to increased absenteeism and even long-term health issues. Factors such as high workloads, lack of control, poor communication, and workplace conflicts can all contribute to heightened stress levels. By recognising these stressors, businesses can take proactive steps to create a healthier and more resilient workforce.
We recently hosted a Knowledge Exchange webinar for professionals in our industry who are part of businesses signed up to our helpline to share what’s been effective in their workplace, and gain inspiration from what others have done, too.
Key tips on managing workplace stress were shared with one contributor saying, “Stress is not just about workloads – it’s also about feeling unheard, unsupported, and unsure about your role. Addressing those root causes is where real progress happens.”
Practical tips for managing stress in the workplace
Effective stress management requires more than surface-level fixes. As discussed in the webinar, time management, autonomy, and structured support systems are key.
Here are some proven strategies:
- Encourage microbreaks: One attendee shared: “Taking a five-minute breather can be surprisingly powerful. It’s a reset that prevents burnout.”
- Promote work-life boundaries: Reinforce policies that discourage after-hours emails and overworking.
- Use workload mapping tools: As mentioned in the webinar: “Mapping out workloads helps managers and teams identify pressure points before they escalate.”
- Offer training in stress resilience: Equip teams with techniques like grounding, mindfulness, and breathing exercises. “A short breathing practice before meetings made a big difference to our team’s mindset,” explained one participant.
Creating a supportive workplace environment
A key component of reducing workplace stress is encouraging a culture where employees feel safe to discuss their mental health without fear of judgment. This includes implementing policies that promote openness; offering mental health resources; and encouraging managers to lead with empathy.
One webinar attendee highlighted: “We have to normalise mental health conversations. When leaders speak openly about their own challenges, it creates permission for others to do the same.”
Suggestions include:
- Introduce trained mental health first aiders as a first line of support for colleagues.
- Host monthly wellbeing check-ins or informal team catchups for anyone who wants to attend.
- Provide access to counselling services or Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), which were praised in the session as “game-changers for early intervention and recovery.”
Taking action for workplace wellbeing
To truly combat stress in the workplace, organisations need to go beyond short-term initiatives and implement long-term strategies. Webinar attendees stressed that sustainable wellbeing efforts require ongoing evaluation and leadership buy-in.
Actionable steps include:
- Establish clear channels for anonymous feedback: As one expert advised: “If people can’t safely say what’s stressing them, you’ll never be able to fix it.”
- Train leaders in mental health literacy: Equip them to recognise signs of distress and respond appropriately.
- Offer flexible working arrangements: Remote or hybrid models continue to be a valuable option. “Flexibility isn’t a perk—it’s a necessity for modern wellbeing,” shared one speaker.
Stress Awareness Month is the perfect time to assess your workplace’s approach to stress management. Encourage open conversations, implement supportive practices, and prioritise the wellbeing of your employees.
How is your organisation addressing workplace stress?
If you need help, our free, confidential, independent employee helpline offers in-the-moment practical and emotional support for times when stress feels overwhelming. We also offer helpline support for managers. Visit the helpline pages to learn more.