Stress is often dismissed as a personal issue, something employees should manage on their own. But what if I told you that unmanaged stress is silently draining your company’s resources, eroding productivity, and inflating costs? New research reveals that stress isn’t just a wellbeing concern – it’s a measurable business risk. Let’s explore how unmanaged stress impacts your budget and what you can do to address it.
The hidden cost of stress: a business risk you can’t ignore
Imagine a 1,000-person organisation losing millions annually. That’s not the result of a market crash or a failed product launch—it’s the cost of high employee stress. According to Walking on Earth (WONE)’s research, published this week, nearly half (45%) of employees in the technology and professional services industries are highly stressed, experiencing stress frequently or always. This isn’t just a personal problem; it’s a business risk that demands attention.
Stress amplifies existing issues, from rising health claims to increased turnover. Yet, despite these significant findings, stress management rarely features in risk mitigation plans. Why? Because stress is often invisible, until its effects become undeniable.
The domino effect of stress on your workforce
Here’s how stress quietly impacts your business across five key areas:
- Workforce Loss: Highly stressed employees are 3.7 times more likely to leave their jobs, and they take 8 times as many sick days as their low-stress peers.
- Performance & Engagement: Stressed employees are 4 times more likely to have low engagement, directly impacting productivity and innovation.
- Critical Operational Risks: 12% of your workforce is making mistakes or missing deadlines due to stress, with high-stress employees 11 times more likely to do so.
- Health Claims: High-stress employees file 2.5 times as many health claims, driving up insurance costs and premiums.
- Relationships at Work: Stressed employees are 7 times more likely to experience hostility with colleagues, eroding team dynamics and collaboration.
These findings are just the tip of the iceberg.
Building resilience: a shared commitment
Building resilience requires a shared commitment between individuals and organisations. Don’t wait for stress to burn through your budget before taking action. Control your spend on benefits with an evidence-based, proactive strategy.
Until now, scientific, data-driven interventions for workplace stress were scarce. Employee stress has long been viewed as an HR concern, rather than acknowledged as a critical factor in a business’ P&L, risks, and costs. But that’s changing.
In this research, WONE introduces a novel scientific theory—The Stress-Risk Thermometer. This framework provides organisations with a way to measure and mitigate stress before it compounds into a business-wide crisis. By identifying stress risks early, you can take targeted action to reduce costs, improve productivity, and foster a healthier workplace culture.
Take action today
Unmanaged stress may be quietly impacting your budget, but this challenge also presents a significant opportunity. By addressing stress proactively, you can transform a hidden risk into a strategic advantage for your organisation. The time to act is now. Because when it comes to stress, the cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of intervention.
You can download WONE’s research to explore full findings here and register to attend WONE’s complementary webinar here.
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