According to the 2011 CIPD/Simplyhealth absence report, stress is now the biggest cause of long-term absence from work.
This news comes as no surprise when we are repeatedly being exposed to negativity, directly or indirectly through our employer or the media, threatening our job security. Consider just a small selection of recent headlines:
1. UK managers expect double dip recession
…and perhaps the icing on the cake is this headline, The UK seeing a big rise in poverty.
Unfortunately, these headlines do not paint a very happy picture.
Repeated threats to our job security, cost of living and income can significantly increase stress levels and it is these stress levels that need to be managed effectively to avoid long term absence from work.
Stress Management
There is certainly a call for companies and organisations to address the issue of stress management and do all they can to maintain staff morale. It is also important for individuals to take some control over their situation to avoid placing total reliance on their employer..
If this relates to you or anyone you know, the first step is to recognise when stress levels are increasing and ensure small steps are taken towards alleviating this stress.
In times like this it is really important to give yourself and your employees the opportunity to introduce positive elements to their working week.
