Article - Stress bragging: what is it and what should HR do about it?

Workplace stress has become a trend known as "stress-bragging", where employees boast about their stress levels to manage their image. However, this behaviour is deemed counterproductive and harmful, leading to negative consequences such as receiving less support from colleagues. Employers are urged to address this toxic culture by managing workloads appropriately and promoting genuine connections among employees.

Key Points

• Stress-bragging is a phenomenon where employees use stress as a badge of honour to showcase their capabilities at work.
• This behaviour is counterproductive and can lead to negative consequences, such as receiving less help and consideration from colleagues.
• Employers should focus on managing workloads appropriately rather than stifling individual behaviours to tackle the toxic culture of stress-bragging in workplaces.
• Creating genuine connections and promoting authentic relationships among employees can help address stress-related issues in the workplace.

Stress bragging: what is it and what should HR do about it?Study shows employees seeing stress as a ‘badge of honour’ is contributing to toxic workplace cultures, while commentators fear the term will be used to ‘silence’ those who are strugglingwww.peoplemanagement.co.uk