Stress Management Risk Assessment for Small Business Owners

Running a small business ican feel like a rollercoaster; exciting, unpredictable, and, let’s face it, stressful. Whether it’s cash flow worries, staffing issues, or the never-ending to-do list, stress can creep in and take a toll on both you and your team.

Jonathan Viney & Dr Emmanuel Akpe at The Growth Hub Cheltenham

Ignoring it isn’t an option. High stress leads to burnout, higher staff turnover, and lower productivity—all things a small business can’t afford. The good news? A stress risk assessment can help you spot problems early and take action before they spiral.

Why Stress Risk Assessments Matter for Small Businesses

Imagine this:

You’re short-staffed and you have to work late to cover for the shortage, and your own health starts slipping away.
An employee quits suddenly, leaving you scrambling to train someone new while keeping customers happy.
Deadlines are piling up, but your team seems disengaged and unmotivated.

Sound familiar? These are common pain points for small business owners.

A workplace stress risk assessment helps you:

✅ Identify key stressors (before they become crises)
✅ Support your team’s mental well-being
✅ Boost productivity and reduce absenteeism

How to Conduct a Stress Risk Assessment (Without the Hassle)

You don’t need a corporate HR team to do this. You can achieve this as a small business owner and I will show you how.

Here’s how:

1. Preparation & Planning

Define your goal – Are you looking to reduce burnout? Improve work-life balance? or something else?
Write down what success should look like after the exercise.

2. Gather Feedback

Anonymous surveys – Ask employees what’s causing them stress (e.g., workload, unclear expectations).
One-to-one chats – Some team members may open up more in private.

3. Analyse the Results

Look for patterns—are most employees stressed about late payments, lack of flexibility, or poor communication?
Look out for particular duties that are more stressful.

4. Take Action

Flexible hours – Could adjusting shifts help parents or students on your team?
Clearer role expectations – Sometimes stress comes from uncertainty and roles that are not clearly defined.
Mental health support – Organising regular stress management training for your team (This is where we come in).

5. Monitor & Improve

Check quarterly—stress factors change as your business grows.
Repeat the process every six months and make improvements.

How to write a stress risk assessment in a simple way?

Identify the risks of stress.
Decide how to remove or reduce the risks.
Agree on what steps to take.
Make any changes to avoid or reduce risks.
Regularly review the plan.

Real-World Stress Busters for Small Businesses

Delegate more – You don’t have to do everything yourself.
Set boundaries – Reduce the amount of work you take home!
Encourage breaks – Everyone is entitled to break including you as the business owner.

Final Thought: Stress Management = Business Success

A happy team is a productive team. By tackling stress head-on with a stress risk assessment, you’re not just improving well-being—you’re future-proofing your business.

Need the template? Download the HSE stress risk assessment tool today and take the first step towards a calmer, more resilient business.