Of 6,000 UK adults surveyed, 29% reported having felt work-related anxiety within the last fortnight—the second-most cited cause of anxiety behind paying the bills. And with search demand for ‘managing anxiety’ up 432%, it’s time that employers took measures to manage anxiety at work.
But with hybrid working now the most common way of working, it’s become increasingly challenging for employers to manage staff and keep tabs on employee mental health. In this complex and ever-adapting landscape, how can businesses solve the problem of workplace anxiety?
1. Create an open channel of communication
For many, having a voice is all it takes to reduce workplace anxiety, but only 26% of people feel able to talk about their anxiety with colleagues. Creating a culture where anxiety can be freely and openly talked about is integral to team-wide mental health.
The best approach to developing an open channel of communication is leading by example. Talk openly and publicly about anxiety and other mental health issues at work and it will signal to your team that it’s okay to talk about anxiety at work.
2. Provide training
Does your team know how to offer support to colleagues who are experiencing anxiety? Even if your answer is yes, it’s worth providing additional training to help your team deal with these situations confidently and without causing them anxiety of their own.
Mental health work shops are a great initiative. Not only will they open up channel of communication, but they can help your team deal with anxiety confidently.
3. Flexible working
Although it can be tempting to keep tabs on your team by rolling back flexible working arrangements, this isn’t a viable strategy for managing anxiety at work and could even make matters work if you take the wrong approach.
Affording your employees the time and space to work through issues on their own terms is paramount to managing workplace anxiety.
4. Promote a healthy work-life balance
37% of people report that taking some time for themselves can help them to cope with anxiety. Promoting a healthy work-life balance by encouraging regular holidays or mental health breaks is vital to relieving stress and preventing anxiety.
In addition to time off work, allow people decompression breaks throughout the day if needed, and consider setting up a designated space in your office to do so.
5. Make your office an escape
Creating a working environment that makes your team feel safe, secure, and comfortable is one great way to help alleviate workplace anxiety. Coworking and serviced offices complete with quiet, comfortable spaces and dedicated wellness rooms can provide a safe space that offers a reprieve for people experiencing anxiety.
Bear in mind that in the wake of COVID-19 and the resulting prominence of remote work, a sudden or phased return to the office can cause social anxiety in some. If you’re planning to increase mandatory in-office days, work with your team first to come up with plan that everyone is comfortable with.
6. Provide health and wellness support
Difficulty getting mental and physical health support is another significant driver of anxiety for many people. Offering health insurance, employee assistance programmes, or helping your team pay for healthcare visits could go a long way in managing anxiety at work.
Regular exercise can help to ease anxiety, so organising sports clubs or getting your team out for a walk during break-time is a good idea.
7. The best way to help your team manage anxiety at work
There is no single best way to help your team manage anxiety at work. Everyone’s anxiety is different, which is why managing anxiety is about giving your team a variety of tools to deal with whatever form it takes.