The risk of stress or burnout isn’t always obvious. It can quietly build up, affecting motivation, productivity, and even physical health. But how do you know if your employees are at risk before it’s too late?
Too little stress causes boredom, but too much can increase the risk of stress or burnout. The right balance is essential — and identifying when employees are tipping over the line is key.
What Stress Does to the Body and Mind
When stressed, our bodies release a hormone called cortisol. High levels of cortisol can cause physical symptoms, such as:
A pounding heart
Elevated blood pressure
Sweaty palms
Headaches
Digestive issues
Cortisol affects us mentally, too, with symptoms including:
A racing mind
Anxiety or panic
Loss of perspective
Difficulty making decisions
Stress also has emotional and behavioural effects. It can cause irritability and anger, restlessness, mood swings, and introversion. People’s work can become sloppy because they are doing it too quickly. Stress affects us all differently.
Measuring Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
A self-assessment tool like the validated DASS scale (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress) gives employees a private, structured way to reflect on their mental health, while providing organisations with insight into overall well-being.
The Cost of Unmanaged Stress
Unmanaged stress can have serious consequences for both employees and the organisation:
Reduced productivity and performance
Increased absenteeism and turnover
Deterioration of mental and physical health
Strained workplace relationships and poor morale
The numbers highlight how common this is: a 2025 survey of 1,000 employees in Ireland found:
24% took mental-health leave in 2024
50% said they found their work mentally demanding or stressful
29% reported that working in their organisation negatively impacted their mental health
Stress isn’t just a “personal issue” — it’s a workplace risk.
Your Legal Duty as an Employer
Employers have a legal duty to protect workers from stress at work.
According to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), risk assessments should include assessments of stressors in the work environment, along with control measures, monitoring, and review — in consultation with staff.
This means employers should:
Conduct a thorough risk assessment of workplace stressors
Act on the findings to reduce workplace stress
Monitor and review progress to ensure ongoing protection for staff
Following these guidelines isn’t just best practice — it’s a legal requirement to safeguard the health, safety, and well-being of employees.
Checking in Without Adding Stress
It can be challenging — and even stress-inducing — to ask employees directly if they’re happy. Our DASS self-assessments make it easier to gather meaningful insights without putting anyone on the spot.
Why It Matters
Stress doesn’t just affect motivation. It can weaken immune systems, harm mental health, and reduce loyalty. Ensuring employees feel supported isn’t just good ethics — it’s good business.
So, are your employees happy? Not just the ones you see in the office, but all of them? Measuring, monitoring, and acting on stress levels can help you find out — before it’s too late.
Structured assessments help organisations identify the risk of stress or burnout, remove guesswork, and take targeted action. They also create a confidential, safe way for employees to reflect on their own well-being, without feeling exposed or pressured.
Mental Health Check for Employees
To help organisations act on workplace stress and the risk of burnout, we offer a confidential mental health check for employees.
This assessment can be used on its own or integrated with your existing Employee Assistance Program (EAP), giving you flexibility to fit your company’s wellbeing strategy.
The check helps identify areas where employees may be struggling, so you can provide targeted support, monitor trends across teams, and take proactive steps before stress escalates into burnout.
It’s a practical, cost-effective way to safeguard employee wellbeing while giving your organisation clear insights into workforce mental health.
How the Risk Assessment Works
Self-assessment: Employees complete a confidential self-assessment using the validated DASS scale (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress). This allows them to reflect on their own mental health in a safe, private way, without needing to visit a clinic.
Professional review: Each completed assessment is measured and reported on by a doctoral-level psychologist, ensuring accuracy, credibility, and expert interpretation.
More than a score: You don’t just get numbers — the psychologist provides plain-English recommendations on next steps.
Continuity of care: Employees have a clear route to support if needed.
Preferential pathway: We can connect employees to BetterCare, giving them priority access to professional mental health support.
Workforce insights: Organisations receive an overview of DASS levels across the workforce, highlighting trends and potential risk areas.
Protect your workforce: Early identification and support can prevent burnout, protect morale, and improve overall performance.
If you’d like to learn more about our mental health check for employees, or how to assess and reduce the risk of stress or burnout in your workplace, get in touch with us today.
Email: info@bettercare.ie 
Phone: +353 (01) 556 3335 or WhatsApp +353 (0)89-2300366
