How to deal with work-related stress?

[lannistunut]

Have finally acknowledged to my manager I am dealing with work related stress. Not sure how I deal with it going forwards though.

Work at a big institution with lots of policies so I should get some support. The problem is I doubt the support will be aimed at tackling the underlying causes, just a sticking plaster thing.

I am seeking other work and will hopefully find something internally.

I have been offered a referral to occupational health - would you take that? I am not sure how official I want to make it all.

Then the other question I have is I feel worse now I have been open about it, as I am now stressed about being viewed as stressed (i.e. weak) in addition to being stressed about the work situation itself. How do I manage the stress day to day when I don't really want to take time off?

Any helpful ideas or just general discussion very welcome, this is all new for me and I am feeling rather alone. My colleagues are all stressed, but i am the only one who has said they are stressed IYSWIM.

Very difficult situation to be in, you have my sympathies.
You have definitely done the right thing informing your manager, however what they can then do about it depends on what's achievable.
I also work in a large institution with many policies relating to health/wellbeing/family friendly and unfortunately they are not worth the paper they're written on.
Is there anything specific in your workload that could be changed?
OH referral is a positive step but again their recommendations are at the discretion of your manager.
I went through a long period of chronic work stress and eventually reached breaking point, (having a meltdown at work one day), I took the advice of close friends/ colleagues and spoke to my GP and got signed of for a few weeks. It was a life saver and at that point didn't care what other people thought, it's so important to look after yourself.

The problem with working in a large organisation, staff are never considered as individuals just cogs in a big machine.
If it's affecting you really badly, take some time off and look for another post with less responsibility (I demoted). Best of luck, things will get better

I would take the occ health referral, OP. Something useful might come of it. What do you feel are the underlying causes of your stress? Workload? Relationships? Insoluble problems? Can you identify any measures that might actually help?

I sympathise. I feel at breaking point right now and am experiencing physical symptoms of stress that are making life very difficult. I am not able to go off sick so I have to find a way through, but it's fucking difficult. Sometimes I just want to run away and hide, to make it all go away. Self care is very important. Take time to exercise, sleep, eat well etc. Easier said than done, I know. Sometimes, just sitting quietly and focusing on your breathing can help. And remembering that, at the end of the day, it's just work.

Does your employer offer an EAP or similar through which you could potentially access counselling of some sort? Or could your GP help?

Thanks for those helpful replies @Wishyouwerehere26 and @AlexaShutUp

The specific issue is I have a complex financial role, most of my work I can manage (volume aside) but occasionally hit something non-standard that needs a) talking through and b) senior sign-off.

I was coping as had a supportive manager - they have left and immediately the work felt unmanageable as if I asked for support/input I was told noone had time. So I was just... stuck.

So I have said I want access to some oversight/support to help with discussing the non-standard. They've agreed to that and meetings are in my diary.

I've felt dreadful today but assume that is because I've stopped squashing it.

I think I'll take the OH referral then. I'm also going to ask them to approve a secondment in principle - this would make it much easier to move on.

for all of us dealing with this awful work pressure. I've at least had a day out today and worked hard at thinking about something nicer.

@Wishyouwerehere26 I know exactly what you mean about policies being not worth the paper they are written on.

@AlexaShutUp yes work has an EAP, I will try them on Monday. I also want to run and hide

The OH assessment will help you, provided you are clear what the cause is and the solution - support/input when required. If they put this in their advice you can use this to get the support you need.

EAP - again they can support/help you to get the right support in place.

HSE - www.hse.gov.uk/stress/standards/index.htm. This is a good resource for you and your employer to take a professional approach to work related stress.

This checklist will help your focus on where the issue is www.hse.gov.uk/stress/assets/docs/indicatortool.pdf. It also helps you to communicate your employer about what they can do.

Also consider if taking a break from work (two weeks sick) at the right time would help you reset and start afresh with the support in place.