Stop checking emails if you're stressed out

If you returned from holiday this summer to find hundreds of unread emails clogging up your inbox, you might be forgiven for casting an envious glance at people working for Daimler, the German car manufacturer.

That’s because since June their executives and other employees been able to choose to have the emails sent to them while on holiday automatically deleted. The sender is informed their email has been destroyed and given the option of either contacting a deputy who can respond to their query, or resending the email once the person on holiday returns.

Valerie Dollinger, a spokesman for Daimler, says: “There has been a lot of positive feedback. Those who used it said it enabled them to enjoy their holiday more, and found it easier to come back refreshed.”

Daimler’s radical initiative is a timely reminder that stress and burnout has become a serious workplace issue and one which firms need to address urgently.

In a recent survey of 6,000 people by Bupa, the health care group, 51pc of managers admitted to feeling constantly worried. And 12pc said they felt close to breaking point.

Part of the problem lies with the growing pressures of the business world as companies increasingly operate on a global scale and executives are required to meet ever more demanding performance targets to stay competitive. Customers need solutions quicker; investors need results sooner; and the “always on” nature of technology such as emails and social media gives little opportunity to switch off.

Dr Almuth McDowall, senior lecturer in psychology at City University, says: “Technology has an awful lot to answer for because it is so easy now to live your working life 24/7. But our bodies and minds are not wired to cope with that. We all need downtime.”

However an equally key factor is the executives themselves, who can often place as much pressure on themselves as external factors do.

Zoe Osmond, chief executive of NABS, which runs support programmes for the advertising and media industries, says: “People in this industry keep putting their hands up saying give me more — more work, more responsibility, and more targets to meet, because they know that is one way to get to the top. It is very easy just to attribute burnout to the work environment but in reality it is a combination of the personal and the professional.”

The good news is that once the problem has been identified, even small tweaks can make a big difference. When Giles Fuchs began dreading the daily long-distance commute to his office and felt increasingly unfit, he bought himself a first class season ticket; and, at the age of 40, took up rugby.

Fuchs, who runs Office Space in Town, a serviced office company, says: “Buying a first class train ticket is the best thing I have done. I can always get a seat, it is brilliant. And taking up rugby was fantastic. It is easy to forget about exercising when you are concentrating on work.”

Sadly we are still some way from knowing how best to tackle executive burnout but there is a lot we can all do to reduce its impact. As a business leader, that means looking at what measures you can introduce in the workplace to reduce pressure on employees. As an individual, that means looking at how you can restore some balance into your own life. Options include limiting email time, not taking work home, consciously making time for friends and social activities, learning how to say “no” to additional projects, and asking for help when needed.

As Prof Stephen Palmer, visiting professor of stress management at Middlesex University, says: “It’s important that both the employer and the executive take responsibility if they wish to prevent burnout.

Employers may place high demands upon staff to achieve targets; however, an executive’s attitude to work can make the situation worse. For example, an executive who believes they must perform well at all times is likely to put a lot of pressure on themselves.”

So the next time you are about to reply to a work email at midnight, take a moment to pause and reflect before pressing “send”. You will be doing everyone a favour.

Rachel Bridge is an author, public speaker and journalist specialising in entrepreneurship and SMEs.