Stress Awareness Month

April is Stress Awareness Month, which acts as a reminder to stop and evaluate, while tackling the stigma that has attached itself to mental health. While heightened stress can occur both inside and outside of the workplace, the impacts can be widespread. Workplace stress is a significant issue in the UK, with workload, expectations, culture, all being amongst the top culprits.

And the extent of stress in the workplace here in the UK is not insignificant; a survey conducted by Ciphr found that 86% people felt stressed at least one day of the month. So what can you consider to reduce employee stress for Stress Awareness Month 2025? Here are some ideas:

Promote Work/Life Balance

Stress at work can stem from excessive workload and a lack of leisure time to enjoy exercise, socialising, and holidays. A big factor in reducing workplace stress is promoting a balanced lifestyle, with regular breaks, using up paid leave, and taking sick days when genuinely unwell. 

Flexibility

Hybrid working and remote work has become a popular working style in recent years, and while not every employer can offer working from home, many can. Office work in particular provides an opportunity to fulfill work commitments from the comfort of home. Sometimes, allowing a few extra work from home days during a difficult time may be enough to reduce stress for staff members.

Compassionate Leadership

Empathy goes a long way, and by exercising compassion to employees, you can help to ease work anxieties, and reassure your team. Sometimes all it takes is an open ear and a bit of patience, and that may be the support needed to help employees to feel better. 

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Supporting staff during stressful times can be as simple as offering an EAP, so they can access help and guidance for their wellbeing. Whether people are in need of resources or just someone to talk to, providing your team with an EAP gives them a place to go when they may not feel like divulging about their personal lives and mental health to people within the workplace. 

Health & Wellbeing Offerings

Sometimes people just need a bit of extra support, so having access to extra resources may just be what your employees are after. From Health Cash Plans to health and fitness discounts, providing staff with benefits to help them to improve their wellbeing can be invaluable.

See all of the employee benefits you can offer at My Staff Shop with a free demo of the platform.