Rising levels of workplace stress continue to shape the employee experience, and recent data from the 2025 Health and Wellbeing at Work report by CIPD and Simplyhealth sheds light on the pressures organisations are facing. The findings highlight how stress is affecting performance, attendance, and overall wellbeing across sectors. To help employers and employees respond constructively, Dr Macarena Staudenmaier of Simplyhealth shares practical strategies for recognising and managing stress in everyday working life.

KEY STATS

  • 26% of organisations report stress as a cause of short-term absence in their top three causes.
  • The most common causes of stress are heavy workloads (41%), followed by personal health issues (37%) and family/relationships (34%).
  • 64% of HR professionals reported stress-related absence in their organisation in the last year.
  • 64% of organisations report that they are taking steps to identify and/or reduce stress in the workplace
  • However, only 50% of organisations think their efforts are effective.

TOP TIPS

For employees seeking to reduce and manage stress, Dr Macarena Staudenmaier recommends the following:

  • Exercise: Regular exercise, especially aerobic exercise, like brisk walking, cycling or swimming is one of the best things we can do for reducing stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms. It helps regulate your body’s stress response system, can help reduce muscle tension and helps with sleep. Aim for 20-30 minutes of movement that gets you a bit out of breath, 5 days a week. Even 10-20 minute bursts make a difference.
  • Mindfulness: This technique helps people learn how to slow down and respond to stress differently. There’s a lot of research that shows that mindfulness helps people notice stress earlier and regulate their emotions more effectively, rather than feeling overwhelmed by them. Simple techniques like paying attention to your breathing, your body and some gentle movement can be hugely impactful.
  • Speak to a professional: Stress and mental health problems can happen to anyone. Talking to a trained professional can really help. Therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) are proven to help people manage stress and anxiety, especially work-related stress. There are different types of talking therapies available, and the right one can help you understand your thoughts, feelings, and reactions better. Finding a therapist and approach that works for you can make a big difference.

Her advice for employers looking to support stress management in the workplace is:

  • Communicate openly with employees to help build trust. Creating a culture where it’s okay to talk about stress and mental health at work, and where employees feel supported will make it more likely that they ask for help early.
  • Train managers to spot and respond to stress. Supporting line managers in noticing early signs of stress, having open conversations and knowing when and how to signpost for support plays a key role.
  • Offer access to support services. Provide clear routes to help, like employee assistance programmes, counselling, or mental health services. It’s important to make sure employees know what’s available to them and how to access it.

Dr Macarena Staudenmaier, Head of Clinical Product and Operations, Simplyhealth, said: Life can bring many challenges, and at times these can feel overwhelming, affecting our wellbeing both at home and at work. Our recent research shows this is a growing issue: 64% of organisations reported at least one stress-related absence in the past year. While progress has been made, with 57% of organisations now having a wellbeing strategy in place (up from 44% five years ago), there is still more to do to reduce stress-related absence, which continues to cost the economy billions each year.

“Creating supportive and psychologically safe workplaces is a vital first step. However, even the best workplace culture cannot remove life’s challenges entirely. It’s important that employees also feel able, and encouraged, to access professional support when they need it. When open workplace cultures are combined with timely, expert help, difficult periods can feel far more manageable.”

-ENDS-

 

About Simplyhealth

Simplyhealth is a leading healthcare services and plan provider. We simplify access to workplace healthcare by removing barriers and reducing costs. We provide fast 24/7 GP and mental health support, health cash plans and a range of pay-as-you-go services – from tests and scans to neurodiversity assessments. No GP referral or pre-approval is needed, and pre-existing conditions are covered.

Simplyhealth delivers affordable, targeted care that tackles the main causes of absence – helping employees stay healthy, in work and recover faster if they do get sick. Supporting over two million customers, we work with thousands of businesses and partners, connecting them to best-in-class healthcare. As a proud B Corp with over 150 years of experience, we reinvest profits to make healthcare more accessible for everyone and commit at least £1 million annually to health-related charities and community causes.

To find out more, visit www.simplyhealth.co.uk

About the 2025 Health and Wellbeing at Work Report

The report examines health, wellbeing and attendance trends and challenges to offer insight and practical suggestions for employers. Based on a survey of 1,101 HR and people professionals, the report helps employers make informed decisions about health and wellbeing policies and interventions, sickness absence management, and health benefits.

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