International Stress Awareness Week (2-6 November): Tackling Workplace Stress in Construction and Beyond

Posted on October 30, 2026

International Stress Awareness Week takes place from the 2^nd to the 6^th of November 2026, with Stress Awareness Day falling on Wednesday the 4^th of November. It’s an important reminder that looking after our mental health is just as important as protecting our physical health, particularly in the workplace.

Organised by the International Stress Management Association (ISMA), this year’s theme is “Shaping the Future of Stress and Wellbeing: Rehumanising the Workplace.”

The campaign encourages employers and employees to recognise the causes and signs of stress, have open conversations about mental wellbeing and take practical steps to create healthier working environments.

Workplace Stress: A Growing Concern

Stress is something most of us experience from time to time. However, when workplace pressures become excessive or difficult to manage, they can have a serious impact on our physical and mental health.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), an estimated 964,000 workers in Great Britain suffered from work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2024/25, resulting in approximately 22.1 million working days lost.

These figures highlight why workplace stress shouldn’t be overlooked.

Stress in the Construction Industry

Construction can be a particularly demanding industry, with workers often facing a combination of physical and mental pressures.

Tight deadlines, long working hours, demanding workloads, financial uncertainty and the responsibility of maintaining safety on site can all contribute to stress.

For those working away from home or moving between sites, the challenges of balancing work and personal life can add further pressure.

HSE’s construction industry statistics estimate that around 15,000 construction workers experienced work-related stress, depression or anxiety, accounting for approximately 19% of work-related ill health in the sector, based on averages from 2022/23 to 2024/25.

In an industry where concentration, communication and sound decision-making are essential to safety, recognising and addressing stress is particularly important.

Recognising the Signs of Stress

Stress affects everyone differently, and the warning signs aren’t always obvious.

Some common signs include:

Feeling overwhelmed, anxious or irritable.
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
Changes in sleep patterns or persistent tiredness.
Headaches, muscle tension or other physical symptoms.
Becoming withdrawn or avoiding colleagues.
Changes in behaviour, motivation or work performance.

Recognising these signs early, whether in ourselves or others, can help prevent problems from becoming more serious.

Managing Workplace Stress: An Employer’s Responsibility

Employers have a legal duty to assess and manage the risks of work-related stress, just as they would any other workplace health and safety risk.

The HSE’s Management Standards identify six key areas that can contribute to work-related stress: Demands, Control, Support, Relationships, Role and Change.

Taking practical steps to manage these risks can make a real difference. Employers should consider:

Managing workloads: Ensure deadlines, working hours and expectations are realistic.
Encouraging open communication: Create an environment where employees feel comfortable raising concerns without fear of judgement.
Providing support: Make sure employees know who they can speak to and where they can access help.
Promoting a positive workplace culture: Address bullying, conflict and poor working relationships.
Providing clear roles and responsibilities: Help employees understand what’s expected of them.
Managing change effectively: Keep employees informed and involved when changes may affect their work.

In construction, regular site briefings, toolbox talks and informal check-ins can provide valuable opportunities to discuss wellbeing alongside more traditional health and safety topics.

Small Steps Can Make a Big Difference

While employers have a responsibility to manage workplace stress, we can all play a part in creating a supportive working environment.

Checking in with a colleague, taking regular breaks, speaking up when workloads become unmanageable and making time to switch off outside work can all help.

Importantly, managing stress isn’t simply about encouraging individuals to become more resilient. It’s also about identifying and addressing the workplace pressures that cause stress in the first place.

Make Stress Awareness a Year-Round Priority

Stress Awareness Week is a great opportunity to start conversations, but workplace wellbeing shouldn’t be something we think about for just one week of the year.

At Courtley Health & Safety, we believe that protecting people’s health means looking after both their physical and mental wellbeing.

Whether you’re an employer, manager, supervisor or employee, taking the time to recognise and address workplace stress can help create a healthier, safer and more supportive working environment for everyone.

For more information and resources, visit: