This year’s #LeadWithLove campaign (created by The Stress Management Society) calls on businesses to lead with compassion, kindness and acceptance.
For employers, this campaign serves as a timely reminder to proactively reassess whether their benefits package is doing enough to reduce stress and improve employees’ overall well-being.
The State of Workplace Stress in the UK
Let’s start with the scary stuff – the statistics.
Workplace stress is not a new issue, yet it remains a significant concern, with recent statistics revealing some alarming realities:
And yet, despite these figures, only 13% of employees feel comfortable discussing mental health at work. The stats highlight the need to proactively work to destigmatise mental health discussions in the workplace, and to create a culture where colleagues feel supported and comfortable enough to reach out for support.
Workplace stress has become so commonplace that it is easy to take it for granted and assume that it's inevitable. It's not, and it can be harmful to employees, productivity, and profits.
Small Steps, Big Impact
Small, consistent actions can lead to meaningful improvements in mental health. Employers can play a crucial role in facilitating this by introducing stress-busting initiatives that make a real difference to their team’s ability to cope with the stresses of daily life.
1. Stress Management Workshops & Mindfulness Sessions
Equipping employees with practical tools to manage stress can have a lasting impact. Zhoosh, in partnership with The Wellbeing Agency, offers a range of stress management workshops and mindfulness sessions to our clients, including:
- Mindfulness meditation – Techniques to help employees manage anxiety and improve their adaptability in stressful situations.
- Weekly Yoga & Breathwork exercises – Simple practices to promote relaxation and improve mental clarity.
- Frequent Workshops focusing on well-being and cognitive training – Strategies to enhance focus, resilience, and coping mechanisms.
2. Simple, Stress-Busting Workplace Initiatives
Creating a stress-aware workplace doesn’t require drastic changes – even minor adjustments can have a significant impact;
- Encouraging movement – Organise walking meetings, join our Monday yoga sessions or start a step challenge. Regular physical activity is a proven stress reliever and is an excellent way for teams to spend time together.
- Quiet spaces – Provide areas where employees can take short breaks to recharge.
- Flexible working – Giving your team more control over their schedule allows them the space to balance work and personal responsibilities more effectively, reducing anxiety and mental load.
- Encouraging social connections – Organising casual catch-ups or wellbeing check-ins by team leaders can help foster a sense of community and support.
3. Addressing Financial Wellbeing
Financial literacy is an overlooked superpower, and a lack of financial educational resources or mentorship can leave individuals feeling stuck and overwhelmed by their financial situations. Zhoosh offers several different resources for employees, including;
- Financial education sessions in partnership with FinWELL – Live monthly workshops on budgeting, savings, mortgages and retirement planning. You can also checkout their April campaign – Financial Wellbeing Month. If you’re a Zhoosh client, you already have access to the programme. Log in to your platform for more information.
- Access to financial advisors – Providing one-to-one consultations for personalised guidance.
- Maji – a holistic financial wellbeing and money management platform
The Long-Term Benefits of a Supportive Workplace
Taking stress seriously in the workplace is a must. Employees who feel supported are more productive, engaged and present. Moreover, fostering an open culture around mental health and working to reduce stigma will encourage employees to seek help before life becomes overwhelming.
At Zhoosh, our clients benefit from access to a suite of employee benefits that champion effective strategies for stress management – but there is always more than can be done.
As we mark Stress Awareness Month, let’s commit to making strategic, meaningful changes that benefit both employees and the business – and together, we can create healthier, happier workplaces.
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