It’s Time to Talk About Stress and Workplace Mediation
Business Development Manager and Mediator Amy Foster breaks down why mediation matters more than ever when it comes to managing stress and getting people back to work this Time to Talk Day (5th February).
Work‑related stress in the UK has reached levels we’ve never seen before — and the data paints a stark picture.
- 1.9 million workers are experiencing work‑related ill health, including 964,000 suffering from stress, depression or anxiety (HSE).
- The UK lost 40.1 million working days to work‑related ill health last year.
- TUC’s 2026 findings show 79% of union safety reps now cite stress as the top workplace hazard — the highest on record.
- And in just two years, 22 million working days were lost specifically to stress, prompting the TUC to warn of a “national crisis.”
- Nearly 1 in 3 workers say they experience high or extreme pressure regularly.
With numbers like these, Time to Talk Day couldn’t be more timely.
This national awareness day encourages open, honest conversations about mental health — and in workplaces, that often means talking about stress, conflict, and the fear of returning to work after things have gone wrong.
Where mediation fits in
At Citizens Advice LeicesterShire, we see how unresolved conflict and communication breakdowns keep people off work far longer than they want to be.
Mediation offers a way forward by providing:
- A safe, neutral space to talk
- Support to rebuild damaged working relationships
- A structured, future‑focused plan for returning to work
- A chance for everyone involved to feel heard and respected
The outcomes speak for themselves
- Around 80% of workplace mediations reach agreement
- Many lead directly to a successful, sustainable return to work
- Early mediation prevents grievances, long‑term sickness, and resignations
When people feel supported — not blamed — returning to work becomes possible again.
Why this matters on Time to Talk Day
Talking about stress is important. But acting on it is what truly changes outcomes.
Time to Talk Day reminds us that conversations matter. Mediation ensures those conversations lead somewhere constructive.
A better way forward for Leicestershire workplaces
If you’re an employer looking to support your staff more effectively, Citizens Advice LeicesterShire is ready to help you take the next step.
➡️ We run free HR in Action webinars every month — and this month we’re focusing on handling difficult conversations with confidence.
Join our 10th February session at 11am for practical tools that Line Managers and HR Leads can use straight away.
