Overworked, understaffed and under pressure
Timely poll points to stress caused by heavy workloads and lack of support
On the eve of International Stress Awareness Week 2021 (1-5 November), we asked our website visitors and Instagram followers: “What do you see as the ONE main cause of stress in the workplace?”
Analysis of 244 anonymous responses to our timely poll showed that the overriding message from workers emerging from the difficulties of the pandemic was that they feel overworked, understaffed and under pressure. This accounted for around 45 per cent of their responses, quoting the following chief stressors:
- Excessive workload
- Unrealistic time pressures
- Unattainable targets
- Long hours
- Lack of staff
- An ‘always on’ culture intensified by home working.
Additional comments submitted included:
- “It feels like everyone is squeezed at the moment, with no sign of the work easing. We are struggling to fill vacancies that will help lighten the load”
- “Expectation: what can be achieved with the people, resources and time available”
- “Unrealistic expectations of performance and results without adequate resources”
- “The pressure of working to cover many different activities in a workplace which is still reorganising and recovering from Covid”
- “Managing workloads and finding a balance with the new hybrid model of working”
- “The breakdown of work/home barriers. Constant contact through smart phones and emails.”
Further findings
And just when it seems workers are looking especially to management for greater understanding and support, they say they feel let down by their leaders. This reaction accounted for 25 per cent of responses, including charges of:
- Poor management
- Inadequate communication
- A negative work culture
- Lack of management support
- Bullying
- Little recognition from management.
Comments included
- “Irrational senior management who don’t understand your roles or the time and resources required to complete work”
- “Managers that are not in touch with the work done on the ground. Managers not listening to staff or not wanting to know their opinions”
- “Poor communication – that’s when, how and what is shared. Insufficient or no information issued; staff told rather than consulted.”
IOSH Research Programme Lead, Dr Karen Michell, has written a blog for International Stress Awareness Week – ‘Support needed to tackle stress, burnout and moral injury’.
IOSH resources
Stress risk assessments – five top tips
Our free Occupational Health Toolkit
Identifying stress, IOSH activities and wider resources
Case study: Selwood Housing Group (2019)
Help us raise awareness
IOSH will be using International Stress Awareness Week to highlight on our social media channels some of these resources designed to help manage stress at work. You can help raise awareness by sharing our posts and using the hashtag #InternationalStressAwarenessWeek.
