International Stress Awareness Week 2026: Rehumanising the workplace

Each year, International Stress Awareness Week, founded by the International Stress Management Association (ISMA), raises awareness of stress, its impact, and the importance of good mental health and wellbeing.

Running from 2-6 November, this year’s theme, “Shaping the Future of Stress and Wellbeing: Rehumanising the Workplace”, explores how organisations can build healthier, more supportive working cultures in a rapidly changing world.

According to a recent Department of Health study, two thirds of workers in Ireland say the source of their stress is work-related. Left unaddressed, prolonged stress can harm an employee’s health and performance and can even lead some people to turn to alcohol or drugs as a way of coping.

Here, we look at what rehumanising the workplace means, how to recognise the signs of workplace stress, the link between stress and substance use, and the practical steps businesses can take to support their employees.

What does “rehumanising the workplace” mean?

Workplaces have changed dramatically in recent years, with new technology, artificial intelligence (AI), hybrid working and growing workloads transforming how we work.

But these changes have also left some employees feeling disconnected, overstretched or undervalued.

Rehumanising the workplace means putting people back at the centre of how organisations operate, including:

• Recognising employees as individuals, with different needs, pressures and circumstances outside work
• Building genuine connection between colleagues, managers and teams, including across different generations
• Making work a safe space for people to speak up about stress or difficulties without fear of judgement
• Using technology to support people, rather than adding pressure or encouraging an “always-on” culture

Workplace stress in Ireland

Workplace stress is a growing concern for employers and employees in Ireland. According to research:

• 3 in 5 workers say their stress levels sometimes affect their work (Department of Health)
• Over half of workers feel their job is having an impact on their home life (Department of Health)
• 13.2% of workers report work-related stress, rising to 19.9% among health workers (Working in Ireland Survey, 2026)
• In 2023, 1.33 million working days were lost to work-related illness, up from a five-year average of around 1.1 million (Central Statistics Office, via the Health and Safety Authority)
• In the same year, women were more than twice as likely as men to report work-related stress, depression or anxiety (Central Statistics Office)

Behind these figures are real people for whom stress can cause fatigue, poor sleep, anxiety and low mood. For employers, the impact of stress in the workplace can be significant, leading to increased absence, lower productivity, higher staff turnover and, in safety-critical roles, a greater risk of accidents.

Recognising the signs of workplace stress

Stress affects everyone differently, but spotting the signs early can stop it escalating into burnout, long-term absence or unhealthy coping behaviours.

Common causes of workplace stress

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) identifies numerous factors that can lead to stress at work, including:

• Unclear or conflicting job roles and demands
• Little control over how work is done, or how fast
• Limited support from managers or colleagues
• Poor communication
• Bullying
• Job insecurity
• Poorly managed organisational change

Signs of stress to look out for

• Physical: fatigue, headaches, muscle tension and disrupted sleep
• Emotional: anxiety, irritability, low mood or feeling overwhelmed
• Behavioural: withdrawal from colleagues, poor concentration, lateness, increased absence or a drop in performance

Line managers often see these changes first and, in many cases, a simple, private conversation asking how someone is coping can be the first step towards getting them the right support.

Learn more: Drug and Alcohol Awareness Training

The link between stress and substance use

For some people, the impact of work-related stress can lead them to turn to alcohol or drugs to unwind, sleep or get through the working day. In some circumstances, what began as a way of coping can turn into a habit or dependency.

Research from Drinkaware shows that 3 in 10 adults who drink say they drink to cope. With work identified as a major source of stress it’s reasonable to presume that, for some employees, alcohol may be playing a role in how they manage workplace pressure.

And stress-related substance use isn’t limited to alcohol. Some people turn to illegal drugs, or even misuse prescription medications, such as sleeping tablets or painkillers.

Regardless of whether someone is using alcohol or drugs, the impact of substance misuse in the workplace can be significant, affecting concentration, judgement, and attendance.

In safety-critical roles, such as construction, transport or manufacturing, the consequences can be far more serious, putting the employee, their colleagues and the public at risk.

Learn more: The effects of substance misuse

Supporting employees

Rehumanising the workplace means creating an environment where employees feel safe to speak up before stress, or the way they’re coping with it, becomes a serious problem.

Practical steps employers can take include:

• Encouraging open conversations about stress and mental health, so that staff feel able to ask for help without stigma
• Reviewing workloads and expectations regularly to prevent overload
• Training managers to recognise early warning signs and respond with empathy
• Signposting support, such as Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), occupational health or counselling services

Employers in Ireland have also have clear legal responsibilities. Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, employers must identify and assess workplace hazards, including those that can lead to stress.

Employees, in turn, must not be under the influence of an intoxicant to the extent that they endanger themselves or others, and must submit to reasonable testing where required.

When combined with the appropriate support, a fair and clear stance on substance use in the workplace, including a robust drug and alcohol testing policy, plays an important role, helping employees understand what is expected of them.

How AlphaBiolabs can help

International Stress Awareness Week is an ideal time for employers to review how they support employee wellbeing, including how they mitigate the risks posed by drug and alcohol misuse.

At AlphaBiolabs, we offer a wide range of drug and alcohol testing services for businesses across Ireland, including:

• Drug and alcohol testing using a variety of sample types, including oral fluid (saliva), urine, breath, hair and nails, with random, for cause, pre-employment, and return-to-work testing offered to suit all budgets and needs
• Rapid on-site screening with access to our nationwide network of specially trained clinicians, to collect samples for workplace testing
• Sample collection for workplace testing at our walk-in centres in Dublin and Belfast, the perfect solution for businesses with remote workers unable to make it to the office for a drug or alcohol test
• Bespoke sample collection training for in-house collection
• All laboratory confirmation testing performed at our accredited lab
• Support with drug and alcohol policy creation and review
• Drug and alcohol awareness training for managers and staff
• Range of testing products available including oral fluid devices, urine drug test kits and breathalysers
• Dedicated Account Manager and access to our scientific expertise

To discuss a tailored solution for your business, call our Workplace team on 01 402 9466, request a quote online, or email workplace@alphabiolabs.com, and a member of our expert team will be happy to assist you.