Work Stress and Burnout

Work stress is a significant concern for employees across Türkiye. However, there are effective ways for companies to relieve the pressure and empower workers to perform at their best.

A recent Michael Page survey of 3,854 job seekers and employees offers valuable insights into how employers can create a more supportive work environment. The survey reveals that 49% of workers find their jobs stressful, and 47% have considered quitting due to the demands of their position. Furthermore, 29% would accept a lower salary for a role that is less taxing.

As an employer, you can make a real difference in reducing stress in the workplace – and you can start doing it today. Let’s explore the leading causes of employee burnout and discuss some practical work stress solutions to tackle this challenge head-on.

What causes work-related stress and employee burnout?

Our survey reveals a wave of work stress across Europe. And it's not just impacting employees’ mental health — it's also hurting the businesses.

So, what are the primary causes of stress in the workplace?

32% of survey respondents say it's a lack of recognition for their hard work
27% point the finger at overwhelming workloads
33% blame the struggle to juggle work and personal life

These findings are in line with our Talent Trends 2024 report, which highlights the growing importance of flexibility and work-life balance for employees, as well as their desire to be recognised for their contributions.

The cost of replacing an employee is substantial, often equating to 6 to 9 months of their salary. However, this figure doesn't capture the full impact. Consider the additional time and resources spent on recruiting, interviewing, and training a new hire. Can your business afford to let work stress drive away your best people? It’s crucial to address these issues now to fortify your company and retain your talent.

How to lessen stress at work: 4 tips for your company

The good news is that there are plenty of practical work stress solutions you can put in place to create a happier, healthier workplace. Here are 4 tips to get you started and some practical advice on how to eliminate stress at work:

Ramp up recognition

Lack of recognition causes significant stress for 1 in 4 employees. To address this, encourage managers to regularly acknowledge their team’s hard work and achievements. Implementing an employee recognition programme is a powerful way to celebrate standout performances and show your workforce that you value them.

Take inspiration from biopharmaceutical company Merck, which employs over 60,000 people worldwide. Their global recognition programme, aptly named INSPIRE, empowers workers to celebrate each other’s successes through messages, points and cash rewards.

Ease the workload burden

Are employees juggling too many tasks? Identify areas where you can simplify processes, cut out unnecessary meetings and give your workforce some breathing room. Encourage managers to promote regular breaks and lead by example — if they're working all hours, their team will feel pressure to do the same.

Consider a 4-day workweek, which has shown promising results in recent trials. Employees reported reduced work stress and better mental health, while businesses maintained productivity. A 4-day workweek can even benefit the environment and advance gender equity. Reducing commuting lowers air pollution in cities, while men spending more time on childcare and housework can empower women to commit more time to their careers.

Prioritise work-life balance

Our survey shows that 64% of employees find working remotely less stressful than being in the office. If it works for your business, consider offering flexible or remote working options to help your workforce better balance their professional and personal lives.

However, managers shouldn't assume remote workers are always fine. Virtual check-ins are vital to assess stress levels, manage workloads and ensure remote employees don't feel isolated or overwhelmed. Work-life balance is about more than just location — it's about providing the support your workforce needs to thrive wherever they are.

Open up the conversation

Encourage managers to regularly check in with team members to ask how they are doing. In these informal conversations, managers can ask specific questions about workload, deadlines and any other obstacles workers may face. Or they can simply listen – these sessions should be safe spaces where employees feel free to talk about the pressures of the job in a constructive way.

Use employee surveys to gather anonymous feedback and ideas. Platforms like Google Forms or SurveyMonkey make it easy to create and distribute surveys, ensuring confidentiality and incentivising honest responses. The better you understand the root causes of workplace strains, the better you can address them.

Reducing work stress doesn't have to mean a complete overhaul of your business. Small, targeted changes can make a world of difference in creating a healthier organisational culture. And that's good news for your employees, your customers and your bottom line.

What employees want vs. what companies offer

Despite the danger of employee burnout, many companies are falling short when it comes to supporting their workforce's well-being. Our survey reveals a disconnect between what employees need and what employers currently provide.

For example, just 14% of employees say their company offers mental health support. This is a great opportunity to prevent stress and identify signs of work related stress. While some businesses are making an effort with initiatives like employee assistance programmes, facilitating open conversations with leadership, collecting employee feedback and offering coaching support, it's clear that more needs to be done.

HR leaders must push employee well-being to the top of their company's to-do list. The cost of inaction is simply too high. If more than half your payroll is eyeing the exit due to work stress, it's not just their mental health on the line — it's your company’s future, too.

Prioritising employee well-being and mental health helps you hire the best

Making a genuine commitment to reducing work stress is not just the right thing to do – it's a strategic imperative. By making employee wellbeing an urgent priority, you can cultivate a thriving, engaged and high-performing workforce. When you invest in your people's health and happiness, you unlock their full potential and set your business up for long-term success.

If you're looking for valuable insights and actionable strategies to address these challenges, be sure to download our comprehensive Talent Trends 2024 report. It's packed with data-driven recommendations to help you build a happier, more resilient and ultimately more successful workplace.

If you are hiring and want to find out how Michael Page can help you with your recruitment needs, contact us today.