89% of US adults say that concerns such as not having enough money, missing loved ones and anticipating family conflict cause them stress during the holiday season. Besides feeling the pressure of holiday gatherings, work during the holiday season is typically more stressful and busy due to increased consumer demands, personal and financial pressures, and a desire to balance work with social and family obligations. Employers can help manage employee stress by integrating the risk assessment principles of ISO 45001:2018 with the specific psychosocial guidance of ISO 45003:2021.
What Are the Top Stresses for Employees During the Holiday Season?
Workers report six of the top challenging stressors to balance during the holiday season:
- 24% Financial stress
- 20% Time constraints for holiday preparations
- 19% Family commitments
- 17% Lack of time for self-care
- 14% Increased workload
- 5% Travel-related stress
Given that financial stress is a leading factor impacting many workers during the holidays, it may come as little surprise that 34% say they will take a second job this season to supplement their income. As adults often work longer hours during the holiday season, managing employee stress during this period becomes even more crucial. Luckily, ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 45003:2021 provide a framework for managing both physical and psychological health and safety risks in the workplace.
What Are ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 45003:2021?
ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 45003:2021 are part of the ISO 45000 series for occupational health and safety (OH&S) management systems. ISO 45001:2018 provides the overall management system framework and requires organizations to systematically manage their health and safety responsibilities. This includes the responsibility to protect both the physical and psychological health of workers.
Published in 2021, ISO 45003:2021 was created to provide specific guidelines on managing psychosocial risks within the ISO 45001:2018 framework. ISO 45003:2021 expands on the ISO 45001:2018 framework by providing specific guidance for managing psychological risks within that system. ISO 45003:2021 helps organizations recognize psychological hazards (e.g., excessive workload, poor communication, bullying and harassment, lack of job control, and inadequate or unsafe working conditions) and offers practical actions to address them.
How ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 45003:2021 Can Help Manage Holiday Stress and Promote Employee Well-Being
ISO 45001:2018 provides a framework for overall occupational health and safety (OH&S), while ISO 45003:2021 gives specific guidance on managing psychosocial risks. To promote wellness, including during the holidays when work tends to get busier, organizations can use ISO 45001:2018 to support a work-life balance and provide mental health resources; they can use ISO 45003:2021 to specifically address psychosocial stressors like increased workloads, time pressures, or a feeling of being overwhelmed during the festive season.
This involves a systematic approach that includes creating a psychologically safe workplace culture, identifying and assessing stress-inducing psychosocial hazards (like poor work-life balance or excessive workload), involving employees in developing solutions, and implementing continuous improvement of mental health and well-being programs. Ultimately, the framework from ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 45003:2021 can be applied to reduce stress, prevent conflict, and promote a healthier work experience for workers.
Addressing Employee Mental Health During the Holidays: How ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 45003:2021 Can Help Manage Stress and Promote Well-Being
Employee mental health is an important concern for organizations. Workers are dealing with work stress, financial pressure, and other concerns (e.g., family obligations, travel restraints, lack of time for self-care, increased workload, etc.,) that can take a toll on their overall well-being. With the added pressure of holiday and end-of-year stress, employee mental well-being becomes an even greater concern during late November and December—when Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah, and New Year Eve occur.
By applying principles from ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 45003:2021, organizations can create a comprehensive system that addresses employee health and safety holistically, encompassing both physical and psychological well-being. This way, organizations can minimize workplace stress, ensuring it is one less thing that employees have to worry about during the holiday season.
Where to Find ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 45003:2021
ISO 45001:2018—Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use and ISO 45003:2021—Occupational health and safety management – Psychological health and safety at work – Guidelines for managing psychosocial risks are available on the ANSI Webstore and both international standards can be found in the following Standards Packages: ISO 45001 – Occupational Health And Safety Management Systems Package.
Additionally, you can learn more about ISO 45001:2018 in our blog posts, ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems and The Benefits of ISO 45001; you can learn more about ISO 45003:2021 in our blog post, ISO 45003:2021—Psychological Health and Safety at Work.