Stress at work is often invisible, and new research suggests it is costing UK businesses far more than many realise.

The Workplace Silent Stress Survey from health, safety and environmental training provider Astutis found that more than half of UK workers (52.6%) have made mistakes at work because of stress. One in four have called in sick at least once because of how stressed they were feeling. Astutis estimates the knock-on cost runs to millions of pounds and more than 17 million working days a year.

The problem nobody is talking about

The most worrying finding is how little people are saying. Only 4.7% of those surveyed would speak to their manager about what is concerning them, and just 1.3% would go to someone in a leadership role. Steve Terry, Managing Director at Astutis, says the figures point to a widespread workplace culture in which employees may not feel safe raising stress-related concerns, and prefer to suffer in silence.

If stress only becomes visible through errors or sickness absence, the damage has often already been done. That is why workplaces need to take burnout seriously, and why it is worth looking at every part of the working day, including the space itself.

Culture first, environment second

Open conversations, supportive managers and realistic workloads are the foundation of a healthy workplace, and no amount of greenery replaces them. But the environment people work in shapes how they feel from the moment they walk in, and it is one of the easiest things for an employer to improve.

Where plants come in

Biophilic design is built on the idea that people feel better when they are connected to nature, and plants are one of the simplest ways to bring that into a building. Here is how they can support a calmer workplace:

• Soften the space. Planting breaks up hard lines, screens and bare walls, making an office feel more welcoming and less clinical.
• Create places to pause. Planted breakout areas give people somewhere to step away from their desk and reset during a demanding day.
• Make a statement. Green walls and ceilings turn unused surfaces into living features that people notice and enjoy.
• Keep it effortless. Nordik Moss offers a maintenance-free way to add natural texture, even in areas where plants struggle to thrive.
• Bring the outdoors in, and out. Terraces, courtyards and entrances planted with care give people a pleasant place to take a break.

Plants also send a message: that the business cares about the people who work there. In a culture where employees feel unable to speak up, that kind of visible investment can help build trust.

Looking after it all

Planting only works if it looks healthy. Tired or neglected displays do more harm than good, which is why our maintenance service keeps every installation looking as good as the day it went in, with no extra burden on your team.

Make a start

At Benholm Group, we have spent over 30 years designing, installing and maintaining planting for commercial spaces across the UK, from our own greenhouses in the heart of Scotland. If you are rethinking how your workplace supports your team, we’d love to help. You can also use the ROI calculator on the Benholm Hub to see the potential return on introducing plants to your space.

Get a quick quote or call us on 0808 175 4430. 

Source: Astutis Workplace Silent Stress Survey, as reported in FMJ, June.