If you’ve been carrying the burden of work-related stress in silence, knowing when to finally reach out for support takes courage. But here is the truth: you don’t have to manage this on your own.

Work-related stress happens when excessive pressures or demands at work become too much to handle. It’s not a sign of weakness — it’s a signal that something needs to change. And you deserve to work somewhere that takes your wellbeing seriously.

Stress is a health and safety issue

Like any other workplace hazard, stress must be recognised, managed, and prevented. The Health and Safety Executive defines work-related stress as “the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them at work.”

It’s important to understand: there is a clear distinction between pressure that can be motivating, and stress that becomes harmful when it goes unchecked.

Across the UK, hundreds of thousands of workers experience stress, depression, or anxiety linked to their jobs each year. You are not failing — the situation around you may need adjusting.

What your employer should be doing

Employers have a legal duty of care to protect your health, safety, and wellbeing — including mental health. The University of Stirling’s Stress Policy sets out what this means in practice:

• Risk assessments to identify sources of work-related stress
• Training for managers to recognise and respond to stress
• Clear reporting procedures so staff can raise concerns safely
• Access to support services including occupational health and employee assistance programmes
• Reasonable adjustments for individuals experiencing stress or mental health difficulties
• Timely, confidential support when concerns are raised

Your employer should be proactive — not waiting for things to break before taking action. They should be working with staff and safety representatives to understand what’s causing stress and how to fix it.

Signs that stress is affecting you

Stress can show up in many ways:

• Difficulty sleeping or constant fatigue
• Feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope with workload
• Irritability, low mood, or anxiety
• Physical symptoms like headaches or stomach problems
• Finding it hard to concentrate
• Wanting to withdraw from colleagues or activities you usually enjoy

If these feel familiar, it’s not because you’re not capable. It’s because the demands placed on you may have exceeded what anyone could reasonably manage.

What you can do

1. You’re allowed to speak up

Many people carry stress in silence, fearing it will reflect poorly on them or their ability to do their job. That fear is understandable, but it shouldn’t keep you from getting help. Early disclosure makes it easier to find solutions before stress escalates.

2. Document what’s happening

Keep a record of:

• Workload expectations and deadlines
• Incidents that caused particular stress
• Any conversations with managers about your concerns
• How stress is affecting you physically and emotionally

This creates a clear picture — for you, for support services, and if needed, for formal processes.

3. Know your rights

Your employer has duties under health and safety law and their own policies. You have a right to:

• Be treated with dignity and respect
• Work in conditions that protect your mental health
• Request reasonable adjustments if stress is impacting you
• Confidential support when you raise concerns

4. Contact your UNISON representative

This is the most important step.

Your UNISON rep can:

• Listen without judgment and help you work out next steps
• Advise on how to raise concerns with your manager
• Support you in requesting reasonable adjustments or occupational health referrals
• Escalate issues if your employer isn’t meeting their obligations
• Connect you with additional resources and support services

There is strength in having union representation. You’re not asking for special treatment — you’re asking for what the employer has promised and what the law requires.

You’ve already taken the hardest step

Recognising that you need support is itself a big moment. Many people spend months or years trying to push through stress on their own, when the reality is: this is a workplace issue, and it needs a workplace solution.

UNISON’s Mental Health Toolkit gives reps the resources they need to support members through exactly this situation. Your rep knows your workplace, they know the policies, and they’re there to stand with you.

Contact your UNISON representative today. Tell them what you’re going through. Let them help you get the support you need and deserve.

Need help? Reach out to your local UNISON branch rep. For general guidance, visit UNISON Scotland’s Mental Health Toolkit or call UNISONdirect on 0800 0 857 857.

Urgent support: If you’re in crisis, contact Samaritans on 116 123 or your local mental health crisis service.