Author: Lauren Mawson, HR Business Partner

Date: 3rd November 2020

In this blog we will take a look at how pressure can affect stress and vice versa. We will also look at how the two are different and some key ways to help manage stress during these continually unusual and difficult times.

Pressure and stress are often confused as the same thing and whilst there is a link, there is an important distinction between the two.

We all experience pressure at points in our lives that require us to make quick decisions when faced with uncertainty or risk; up to a certain point, this pressure is healthy and even essential as it can increase motivation, which can in turn improve performance. However, the risk with excessive or extended pressure is that this can be detrimental to our health and wellbeing and could be a cause of work-related stress.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) defines work-related stress as “The adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them at work”. It’s important to remember that people react to pressure differently and the point at which this can start to cause stress will likely differ too; however in the 2019 Health and well-being survey conducted by the CIPD, they identified some of the main causes of work-related stress as:

• Workloads/volume of work
• Management style
• Relationships at work
• Non-work factors - relationship or family issues
• Considerable organisational issues or restructuring
• Pressure to meet targets or deadlines
• Non-work factors – personal illness or health issues

The Performance/Pressure Curve

There is no set ‘trigger point’ for when pressure gives way to stress; this will differ for each individual. However, the performance/pressure curve helps to illustrate in what conditions feelings of stress and anxiety can be caused and how this links with performance.

Source: mindtools.com

For example:

Low pressure = employees can feel bored as they are not being challenged = low performance levels

High pressure = employees can feel the challenges facing them are too difficult and unmanageable = low performance levels

The key is to strike the balance between the two where enough pressure is applied to instigate high performance levels, with employees feeling motivated to work to the best of their ability and achieve job satisfaction.

Managing Stress

The NHS recommends 10 stress busters which start with identifying the cause. This helps to deal with the stressor in a more healthy way, rather than turning to unhealthy habits such as smoking or drinking.

Source: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/reduce-stress/

How PACT HR can help?

• Speak to your HR Business Partner about engaging the services of Employee Health & Wellbeing. They can offer advice and guidance to help you support your employee(s) in managing their health and wellbeing, including their stress levels at work.
• We offer a variety of training and one to one coaching sessions on topics including Managing Stress and Wellbeing and Personal Resilience. You can find out more on our website here.
• Our Wellbeing Guidance available here on the PACT HR website includes a stress action plan, helping you to identify potential causes of stress in the workplace and identify the action needed to support your employees.

For more information on how to receive support from a PACT HR Business Partner, contact the PACT HR helpdesk via phone 01274 436644, or email info@pact-hr.co.uk and we will help.