April marks Stress Awareness Month — a perfect time for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to prioritise employee wellbeing. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a helpful “Five Steps in Five Weeks” campaign, giving businesses simple, actionable ways to reduce stress at work.
Here’s how your SME can get involved:
- Reach Out to Your Team
Open conversations about stress help remove stigma. Create safe spaces where employees feel comfortable sharing their concerns. - Understand Work-Related Stress Factors
Recognise triggers like workload, deadlines, and unclear roles. Regular check-ins make it easier to spot issues early. - Commit to Taking Action
Small changes, such as flexible hours or workload reviews, show employees their wellbeing matters. - Plan Practical Solutions
Collaborate with your team to design realistic strategies for managing stress effectively. - Review and Reflect
Keep the momentum going. Regularly review what’s working and adjust your approach as needed.
Creating a positive, supportive workplace isn’t just good for your team — it boosts productivity, morale, and retention. This April, commit to making stress management part of your everyday culture.
If you are an employer looking for support, a good place to start is to register for free bitesize learning.
Stress talking toolkits Stress Talking Toolkits – HSE
Employers can also watch a new webinar HSE held in partnership with Healthy Working Wales on essential guidance on preventing work-related stress and supporting employee mental health
Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash
