Two-thirds of workers in the North West stressed over cost of living

A study by Acas has found that two in three workers in North West England (65%) feel stressed due to the rising cost of living.

Acas commissioned polling company YouGov to conduct the survey of over 1,000 workers across the country, with fieldwork carried out in mid-January, asking how stressed (out of four options from Very Stressed to Not At All Stressed) people felt about the current cost-of-living crisis. Fieldwork was carried out prior to the government’s fixing of the Energy Price Guarantee for a further 3 months, and the Chancellor’s recent Budget.

In the North West, 16% reported being Very stressed, while nearly half of respondents (49%) said they were Fairly Stressed. Just 7% said they were Not At All Stressed about the rising cost of living.

Acas Chief Executive, Susan Clews, said:

“The cost of living pressures are having a huge impact on many people’s lives at the moment and our poll reveals that a substantial proportion of workers in the North West are feeling stressed as a result.

“North West employers that support their employee’s mental health at work will be able to spot the signs, help manage them and create an environment where staff can openly talk about anything that is causing them stress. Offering practical tips such as signposting to financial advice can also help.

“Employees should also look after their own mental health and have some coping strategies to help manage stress. Acas has advice that can help to avoid problems building up and lead to improved morale at work.”

For businesses looking to support staff mental health during this time, Acas had the following advice:

• Be approachable, available and encourage team members to talk to you if they’re having problems;
• Keep in regular contact with your team to check how they are coping;
• Respect confidentiality and be calm, patient, supportive and reassuring if a staff member wants to have a chat about their mental health;
• Clearly communicate the internal and external support available to staff; and
• Look after your own mental health and get support if you feel under more pressure than usual. This support could be a colleague at work, a mental health network or a counsellor.
• Consider offering practical help such as providing pointers to sources of financial advice or bringing advice providers into work.

Acas advice for workers to support their own mental health and wellbeing include:

• Talk to people you work with or friends about how you’re feeling;
• Speak to your manager about how you’re doing and your situation;
• Reflect on what helps you feel more positive and what does not;
• Make time for activities you enjoy; and
• Check with your employer on what support is available at work.