Workplace stress and absence

Stress is a major cause of sickness absence from work. According to the UK Health and Safety Executive, half a million people in the UK experience work-related stress at a level they believe is making them ill. But as well as being a direct cause of sickness absence, stress can also cause ill-health and absence in subtle and indirect ways. It could be a migraine, bad back or stomach complaint. On the other hand, it could be because of an accident caused by not being able to concentrate. Stress may start with a damaging thought or feeling but can have damaging physical effects that are not just in your mind.

Taking a day off work is another of the coping strategies that we mentioned earlier. But let us ask you a question - do you think it is a good or bad coping strategy? Bear in mind that when you go back to work after your day off, the cause of the stress will in all likelihood still be there.