In Mindfulness, we talk a lot about stress reduction – it is a subject very close to our client’s hearts (and heads, and central nervous systems, and immune systems…)   So just what is the current view of stress in the workplace?

Mind, the mental health charity, has released some new poll results:

45 per cent of workers  said that staff are expected to cope without mentioning stress at work

31 per cent said that they would not be able to talk openly to their line manager if they felt stressed

68 per cent of managers say that they would find ways of helping staff who were stressed or experiencing a mental health problem.

22 per cent of workers felt that their boss takes active steps to help them manage stress.

36 per cent believe that looking after staff mental wellbeing is an organisational priority.

42 per cent believe that in their workplace stress is regarded as a sign of weakness or that you can’t cope.

32 per cent think time off for stress is treated as seriously as time off for physical illness.

42 per cent believe that time off for stress is seen as an ‘excuse’ for something else.

The full statement from MIND, together with the CEO’s statement, is at www.mind.org.uk.