Written by Anna Toon (EDI Intern)
April marks Stress Awareness Month, prompting many of us to reflect on wellbeing in the workplace. While conversations often focus on workload and deadlines, there are quieter, less visible sources of stress that can be just as significant.
For some colleagues, navigating race in the workplace can be one of them.
This might not always be obvious. It can take the form of small, cumulative experiences, feeling the need to carefully consider how something will be received, navigating moments of misunderstanding, or deciding whether to speak up or stay silent. Over time, these experiences can create an additional layer of mental and emotional effort that often goes unseen.
There can also be a sense of responsibility, whether real or perceived to explain perspectives, represent experiences, or contribute to conversations about race. While these contributions are valuable, they can also carry an emotional weight when they are not shared equally.
Recognising this is not about assigning blame, but about broadening our understanding of what workplace wellbeing truly looks like. If we want to create supportive environments, we need to consider not only what is visible, but also what may be felt but not always expressed.
Small actions can make a meaningful difference: such as creating space for open conversations, being mindful of how we engage with others, and fostering environments where people feel safe to speak, or not speak, without any pressure.
Wellbeing is not one-size-fits-all. Understanding the different ways stress can be experienced is an important step towards building workplaces where everyone feels supported.