Employers are being urged to address the problem of workplace-related stress on Friday 6 February in support of Samaritans’ ‘Stress Down Day.’
As part of the national fundraising initiative, the charity has suggested bosses could charge employees to switch off email for the day or to visit relaxation areas in the workplace.
Employees could also pay a fee to wear their slippers to work, or swap their work chair for an armchair to make their workspace feel more homely.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of the effects of stress in the workplace and encourages people to take better care of their emotional wellbeing.
Samaritans’ head of fundraising, Hazel Norval, said: “Stress Down Day is the ultimate dress down Friday; a perfect opportunity to give employees a relaxing and morale-boosting break in the office whilst raising vital funds to keep Samaritans’ 24-hour service up and running through these difficult times.”
These views were echoed by business telephony provider Aastra’s general manager Michael Calvert, who called on employers to support staff who want to work from home.
He said remote working could improve morale, reduce office costs and increase staff retention, as well as helping parents returning to work after having a child.
“Commuting can be highly stressful for employees and employers need to ensure they’re being mindful of their staff’s emotional wellbeing.
“Introducing a flexible working policy and ensuring employees have the tools to enable them to work from home should be a high priority for companies across all sectors and regions of the UK,” he said.
Slippers and an armchair may add a bit of fun to fundraising, but employers keen to help staff manage stress need to focus on supporting them to cultivate mindfulness and resilience. A considerable amount of the stress we suffer is the result of faulty thinking practices and our tendency to live in the past or future, rather than focusing on the present. Of growing interest to psychologists, resilience is something we can nurture and develop; and resilient people are more likely to successfully weather the turbulence of 21st century living.