How Employers Can Help Their Staff Experiencing Trauma Or Stress

Employers have a big role to play in supporting staff who are experiencing trauma or stress. Workplaces can be challenging at times, and personal issues can add to the strain.

When employers take steps to help their staff through difficult periods, it not only improves employee well-being but also benefits the organisation by reducing absences and improving productivity.

According to the Mental Health Foundation, 74% of UK adults have felt so stressed in the past year that they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope. This shows just how common stress is, making it a key issue for employers to address.

Create An Open Environment

One of the most important things employers can do is create an open and supportive environment.

Employees need to feel that they can talk about their struggles without fear of judgment or negative consequences. In many cases, people may keep their feelings to themselves because they worry it will affect how they are treated at work.

By creating a culture where conversations about mental health are normalised, employers can help their staff feel more comfortable asking for support. This could involve managers regularly checking in with employees to ask how they are doing or providing opportunities for staff to talk in a confidential setting.

Access To Employee Assistance Programmes

Access to professional support is another key area. Employers can provide resources such as Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), which often include free counselling services, mental health advice, and other tools to help employees manage stress or trauma. These also count as a business expense, which makes a good incentive for businesses to adopt them.

Currently, research by Deloitte shows that poor mental health costs UK employers up to £45 billion each year. This is a significant figure, highlighting the need for effective strategies to reduce stress in the workplace. Offering access to professional support not only helps employees cope but can also lead to long-term savings for businesses by reducing absenteeism and staff turnover.

Offer Flexibility At Work

“Flexibility at work can also make a big difference for employees who are struggling,” explains Nicholas Conn of community hub, Help4Addiction.

“Stress and trauma often affect people’s ability to focus or maintain a regular schedule.”

“Employers can help by allowing staff to adjust their working hours, take additional breaks, or even work from home if needed. This flexibility gives employees the space to manage their personal challenges while still contributing to the workplace. For example, someone who is dealing with the loss of a loved one might benefit from being able to work reduced hours for a few weeks while they adjust.”

Manager Training

Training managers to recognise signs of stress or trauma is another way to support employees. Many staff members may not openly talk about what they are going through, but there are often subtle signs, such as changes in behaviour or work performance.

A manager who is trained to identify these signs can step in early to offer help or suggest resources. This can prevent small issues from becoming bigger problems and show employees that their well-being is a priority.

In summary, employers in the UK can support staff experiencing stress or trauma by creating an open culture, offering access to professional resources, providing flexibility, and training managers to be proactive. This approach benefits everyone, creating a healthier, happier, and more productive workplace.