, Chairman of The Aziz Corporation, which conducted the survey as part of the eighth annual Aziz Management Communications Index, comments:
“Although stress has become a buzzword and is often used to account for all kinds of ailments and conditions, it is interesting that such a high proportion of management believe that some degree of stress can be positive. The key is to manage stress effectively, so that instead of spiralling out of control, the pressures of the workplace can be harnessed and put to positive effect.
“Whilst very high levels of stress can be damaging, both to employees’ health and to the company in the long-run, a certain amount of pressure can be useful. In fact, employees under some degree of pressure are more likely to demonstrate the motivation, ambition and productivity that their bored counterparts fail to muster.”
The research reveals that over half (58%) of managers believe that the general level of stress amongst the people working in their organisation is about right. However, there is also a widespread concern that stress is set to become the ‘new backache’ – a vague and difficult-to-prove excuse for absenteeism. 79% of managers believe that employees use stress as an excuse for absence from work, whilst 87% think that businesses will face an increasing number of stress-related compensation claims over the next five years.
Khalid Aziz comments:
“Employers have a right to be concerned that stress has become the new backache. It is therefore vital that they lead by example, and understand the relationship between pressure and performance. By recognising and gaining control over the sources and symptoms of pressure, both in themselves and others, managers can turn ‘unhelpful stress’ into a positive force for the company as a whole.”
The survey also found that while a third (34%) of managers deal with stress by having a drink or two after work, the most common means of coping with work-related stress is to exercise and keep fit (65%), followed by eating healthily (63%) and getting a good night’s sleep (59%).
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Professor Khalid Aziz of The Aziz Corporation is available for interview on this story. If you would be
interested in speaking with Khalid then please contact Joni Hollis on 020 7760 8616 or 07889 843 463.
Notes to Editors
The Aziz Corporation
The Aziz Corporation is the UK’s leading independent executive communications consultancy. Its mission is to add
value to businesses by ensuring their people are effective communicators. Consultancy services offered by the Aziz
Corporation include presentation skills, media training, crisis management, image consultancy and voice development.
About the survey
This survey was completed by 200 senior managers and directors of major companies based across the United Kingdom.
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