Health

There's a difference between stress and pressure. We all experience pressure daily and need it to motivate us. But too much can lead to damaging stress.

Take this test to find out if you're experiencing too much pressure at work.

QUESTIONS

The words in italics are things you might want to consider talking to your boss, supervisor, trade union or HR department about and appear in the tool as a checklist on the results page.

1.How do you manage your time at work?
a) My time is fairly flexible and I can have a say in deciding how I work and when to take a break (0 points)

b) I have some say over the way I work but would like more (1 points)

c) I don't have very much control over how I work (2 points)

Any issues that are particularly bothering you in your day-to-day work

2. When something is going to change at work, what happens?

a) I have plenty of opportunity to speak to my boss about any changes at work (0 points)

b) We're always asked about possible changes at work before they happen but don't have much involvement in how decisions are made (1 point)

 c) We aren't told about changes and I'd find it hard to speak to my boss (2 points)

How and when your boss speaks to you about changes at work

More about change

People who feel valued and involved in decision-making play a big part in a high-performing workplace.

Empowering individuals at work, giving them the right skills, and getting them involved in making decisions shows that their health, safety and wellbeing are being taken seriously.

People will also raise concerns and offer solutions more often.

3. How do you get on with your boss or supervisor?

 a) I can rely on them to help me out, encourage me and provide support (0 points)

b) I can talk to them about something that has upset or annoyed me at work but that's about it (1 points)

How much support you are given on a day-to-day basis

c) I don't get on with them very well and don't feel very supported (2 points)

How much support you are given on a day-to-day basis

Talking to your boss

Open communication develops a positive culture and reduces accidents and ill-health. It also improves overall efficiency and productivity. The law states that employers must consult employees regularly.

If you find it difficult to talk to your boss, talk to your trade union representative or employee representative who can provide advice on a range of work-related topics. Alternatively, you can speak to your HR department.

4. How do you get on with the people you work with?

a) My colleagues will help me and are always willing to listen to any work-related problems (0 points)

b) I don't think my colleagues offer me much support (1 points)

Ways to encourage a positive workplace where people are supported by each other as well as line managers

c) I get on with them okay but wouldn't discuss any problems with them (2 points)

Ways to encourage a positive workplace where people are supported by each other as well as line managers

5. Are any of the following causing you problems? (You can pick more than one)

a)People harassing you with unkind words or behaviour at work (2 points)

Any harassment you`re experiencing at work - it`s unacceptable

b) Friction or arguments with your work colleagues (1 points)

Any friction at work that might lead to problems

c) Bullying from one or more work colleagues (2 points)

Any bullying at work you`re experiencing

d) Difficulties or strained relationships with someone at work (1 points)

Any relationships at work that are difficult

e) None of these (0 points)

More about bullying

Bullying can make working life miserable. You can lose all faith in yourself, start to feel ill and depressed, and find it hard to motivate yourself to work. It’s not always due to people's tribal instincts, or someone picking on the weak. Sometimes a person's strengths in the workplace can make the bully feel threatened, and that kicks off their behaviour.

Never ignore it. Talk to your colleagues, talk to your boss, talk to your family and, above all, talk to the experts. If you belong to a trade union, talk to them. They have well-established tactics for helping you bring the joy back into your working day.

6. Which of the following best describes how you feel about your role at work?

a) I am clear about what is expected of me at work and know how to go about getting my job done (0 points)

b) I am clear what my duties and responsibilities are but sometimes don't manage to get everything finished (1 point)

Your concerns about having too much to do

c) I am unclear what my role is (2 points)

Your responsibilities, so you can better understand your role

More about roles

Employees should have a clearly defined role and be encouraged to talk to their line manager or boss if they are not clear about priorities or the nature of their job.

This means you should be clear about what your job entails, what is expected of you and what you can expect from your employer.

Team meetings can help to clarify your role and discuss any possible role conflict.

7. Do you worry about any of the following? You can pick more than one.

a)Different people at work demand things from me that are hard to combine (1 point)

Increasing demands on your time from more than one person

b) I have unachievable deadlines and I have to neglect some tasks because I have too much to do (1 point)

Unachievable deadlines that are causing problems

c) I have to work very intensively and find it difficult to take sufficient breaks (1 points)

Finding it hard to take vital breaks

d) I am pressured to work long hours (1 point)

Improving your working hours, which are long

e) None of these (0 points)

More about demands

It's important that your line manager monitors workloads to ensure people are not overloaded  and there are sufficient resources to do the work allocated.

People should be encouraged to have a healthy work-life balance and take their annual leave and meal breaks.

There should also be good communication about unplanned tight deadlines or any exceptional need to work long hours.

RESULTS

0-3 points

We all experience pressure on a daily basis and your responses today suggest that with the help of your employer you're managing that pressure well.

Any issues that may need addressing will appear below.

Remember, if you do start to face stressful problems at work, it’s always good to speak to your boss or supervisor to stop them becoming a bigger problem and improve the workplace for everyone.

3-9 points

We all experience pressure on a daily basis but your responses today suggest that some areas of your work could be improved to avoid any unnecessary stress.

Try to talk to your boss, supervisor, trade union or HR department about the following: (see italics under each question & response)

9-40 points

We all experience pressure on a daily basis but your responses today suggest you may be experiencing more than healthy pressure at work. To improve the situation before it gets worse, it's important to speak to your boss, supervisor, trade union or HR department.