A significant number of senior executives report increased workplace stress over the last five years, with mobile technology identified as a primary factor.
- 80% of executives surveyed acknowledge a rise in workplace stress compared to five years ago, attributing it largely to mobile technology.
- Three-quarters of respondents point to mobile technology as a major contributor to their stress, citing constant connectivity demands.
- Employers’ expectations for executives to be accessible beyond work hours exacerbate stress levels, say 60% of surveyed professionals.
- Despite recognising stress, over 80% of companies lack procedures for stress management, leaving many executives unsupported.
In recent findings, a report by Russam GMS underscores a heightened level of stress among senior executives, with 80% of them recognising the workplace as increasingly stressful compared to the past five years. This escalation in stress is largely attributed to the pervasive use of mobile technology, which has blurred the boundaries between work and personal time.
The survey, engaging a substantial database of senior executives, reveals that 60% of respondents feel pressure from employers to respond to emails beyond official work hours. This sense of being perpetually on-call, coupled with the challenge of disconnecting from work, primarily attributable to mobile devices, underscores the complexities that modern technology introduces to work-life balance.
Furthermore, the report highlights that more than three-quarters of executives blame mobile technology for their increased stress levels, with many pointing to the relentless flow of emails and the need to meet ever-demanding financial targets as key stressors. Ian Joseph, Managing Director at Russam GMS, notes that the 24/7 connectivity culture engendered by mobile technology significantly hampers the ability of individuals to ‘switch off’.
Despite this, over 80% of companies reportedly lack structured procedures to identify or manage stress among their staff, although a significant 95% of senior executives claim they can recognise stress symptoms in colleagues. The scarcity of organisational support is further exemplified by the fact that fewer than 15% offer any form of stress-related counselling or mentoring, leaving a gap in addressing mental well-being.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) further supports these findings by identifying stress as a principal cause of long-term absenteeism. This situation contributes to the broader economic impact, with 11.3 million working days lost and an estimated cost of £6.5 billion to the economy. The overall lack of workplace initiatives to address stress reflects a critical need for improved mental health support and proactive policy development among employers.
The findings urge organisations to implement effective stress management strategies to support the well-being of senior executives.
