Stress isn't always obvious. An employee might arrive at work, attend meetings, meet deadlines and carry out their usual responsibilities while quietly struggling behind the scenes.

Sometimes the signs are small. Tired eyes, constant fidgeting, looking drained, becoming unusually irritable or struggling to concentrate. But not everyone shows how they're feeling. Some people become very good at hiding it.

For employers and health and safety professionals, recognising these signs matters. Stress doesn't just affect how someone feels. It can also affect how they work, the decisions they make and, ultimately, their safety.

International Stress Awareness Week runs from 2-6 November 2026, with this year's theme focusing on 'Shaping the Future of Stress and Wellbeing: Rehumanising the Workplace'.

The signs aren't always easy to spot

Stress can affect people differently, and there isn't always an obvious indication that someone is struggling.

Changes in behaviour, reduced concentration, tiredness, frustration and withdrawal from colleagues can all be signs. However, someone experiencing stress may continue working as normal, making it easy for others to overlook.

It's also important to remember that stress isn't always caused by work. Financial pressures, family circumstances, relationships and other personal challenges can follow people into the workplace. Employees may not feel comfortable sharing these difficulties, but they can still affect how they feel and perform at work.

When stress becomes a safety risk

Working under pressure is part of many jobs. Tight deadlines, demanding workloads and fast-paced environments can be difficult to avoid. However, when someone is already experiencing stress, additional pressure can make it harder to carry out tasks effectively.

Concentration can suffer, mistakes can become more likely and decisions may be rushed or poorly considered. Work that requires attention to detail may be completed incorrectly, while important checks or procedures could be overlooked.

This is particularly concerning in safety-critical environments, including construction, manufacturing, transport and emergency services, where decisions need to be made carefully and errors can have serious consequences.

Stress should therefore be considered as part of an organisation's wider approach to workplace health and safety, not simply as an individual wellbeing issue.

What can employers do?

Employers won't always know what someone is dealing with, but they can help create an environment where people feel supported and able to speak up.

Some important steps include:

• Look out for changes: Pay attention to changes in behaviour, concentration, engagement and performance.

• Keep conversations open: Regular check-ins can give employees an opportunity to raise concerns before pressures build.

• Review workloads: Consider whether deadlines, expectations and staffing levels are realistic and manageable.

• Encourage people to speak up: Make it clear that employees can ask for support without feeling judged.

• Provide access to support: Make sure employees know what wellbeing and mental health resources are available to them.

The aim isn't to diagnose stress or expect managers to solve personal problems. It's about recognising when someone might need support and making it easier for them to access it.

Making wellbeing part of workplace safety

This year's International Stress Awareness Week theme, 'Shaping the Future of Stress and Wellbeing: Rehumanising the Workplace', encourages organisations to put people at the centre of working life.

For health and safety professionals, that means looking beyond physical hazards and recognising the wider pressures that can affect employees' ability to work safely.

Stress isn't always visible, and people won't always tell you when they're struggling. But that doesn't mean its effects aren't being felt.

So, can you tell when your employees are stressed? And, more importantly, are you creating a workplace where they feel comfortable telling you?

International Stress Awareness Week takes place from Monday 2 to Friday 6 November 2026.

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