The way you communicate at work under stress can relieve tension or add to it—here’s what to do and not to do.
Workplace stress is one of the most pressing challenges organizations face today. From tight deadlines and high workloads to organizational change and remote work complexities, stress levels among employees have been steadily rising. According to the American Institute of Stress, 83% of U.S. workers suffer from work-related stress, and nearly half of them say they need help managing it.
While there are many contributing factors, one of the most overlooked yet powerful drivers of stress is communication. Poor communication can magnify stress and disengagement, while clear and empathetic communication helps employees feel supported and resilient. In fact, workplace communication is not just an operational necessity — it is a strategy for employee well-being and organizational success.
We’ll explore the connection between stress and communication, identify the best communication practices that reduce workplace stress, highlight the worst communication habits that fuel it, and share practical strategies HR leaders, managers, and organizations can apply. We’ll also show how training solutions can help leaders build communication skills that directly impact retention, productivity, and employee well-being.
Understanding Workplace Stress
Workplace stress occurs when the demands of a job exceed an employee’s ability to cope. Stress itself is not always negative — short bursts can motivate productivity. However, prolonged or unmanaged stress leads to burnout, disengagement, and turnover.
Some of the most common workplace stressors include:
- Workload pressure – excessive tasks and unrealistic deadlines.
- Lack of clarity – not knowing expectations or goals.
- Job insecurity – uncertainty around roles or company changes.
- Poor leadership or management – limited support or unfair treatment.
- Communication breakdowns – inconsistent, vague, or negative communication from leaders or colleagues.
Among these, communication plays a unique role: it can either amplify stress or alleviate it. How managers and leaders communicate in high-pressure situations determines whether employees feel anxious and unsupported, or calm and engaged.
How Communication Impacts Workplace Stress
Communication is at the heart of how people experience their jobs. Clear communication ensures that employees understand their responsibilities, feel connected to the company's goals, and have confidence in leadership. Poor communication leaves employees feeling confused, undervalued, and frustrated.
- When communication is poor, employees often experience misalignment, second-guess instructions, and feel left out of decision-making. This creates unnecessary mental strain.
- When communication is strong, employees feel included, trust leadership, and are motivated to perform. Stress levels decrease because expectations are clear and support is available.
Research consistently shows that ineffective communication is a leading cause of stress in the workplace.
- A recent survey found that 51% of employees reported that ineffective communication increased their workplace stress, and 61% have even considered quitting due to poor internal communication.
Worst Communication Practices (That Increase Stress)
Let’s begin with communication habits that leaders and teams should avoid, as they often worsen stress and create tension:
1. Unclear Instructions & Expectations
When leaders provide vague directions or fail to outline expectations, employees are left guessing. This creates anxiety, delays, and mistakes. Over time, it leads to frustration and loss of confidence.
2. Inconsistent Updates
In times of organizational change, inconsistency in communication fuels rumors and uncertainty. Employees who are left in the dark about essential updates experience higher stress and disengagement.
3. Negative or Abrasive Tone
The way something is said often matters more than what is said. A harsh, critical, or dismissive tone demoralizes employees and increases stress. Leaders who fail to show empathy create a culture of fear instead of collaboration.
4. Information Overload
Ironically, too much communication can be just as harmful. Constant emails, endless meetings, and multiple chat platforms overwhelm employees, leaving them unable to focus. Instead of clarity, overload causes confusion and exhaustion.
5. Ignoring Feedback
When employees feel unheard, it damages trust and drives disengagement. If staff feedback is consistently ignored or dismissed, employees often feel undervalued, which can contribute to increased stress and higher turnover rates.
6. Last-Minute Surprises
Dropping major updates, deadlines, or policy changes without notice creates unnecessary panic. Employees who are blindsided by unexpected changes feel disrespected and anxious.
7. Overuse of Jargon or Complex Language
Overly technical or confusing communication creates barriers. Employees may hesitate to ask questions for fear of looking unprepared, which results in stress and mistakes.
Best Communication Practices (That Reduce Stress)
Let’s begin with communication habits that leaders and teams should avoid, as they often worsen stress and create tension:
1. Unclear Instructions & Expectations
When leaders provide vague directions or fail to outline expectations, employees are left guessing. This creates anxiety, delays, and mistakes. Over time, it leads to frustration and loss of confidence.
2. Inconsistent Updates
In times of organizational change, inconsistency in communication fuels rumors and uncertainty. Employees who are left in the dark about essential updates experience higher stress and disengagement.
3. Negative or Abrasive Tone
The way something is said often matters more than what is said. A harsh, critical, or dismissive tone demoralizes employees and increases stress. Leaders who fail to show empathy create a culture of fear instead of collaboration.
4. Information Overload
Ironically, too much communication can be just as harmful. Constant emails, endless meetings, and multiple chat platforms overwhelm employees, leaving them unable to focus. Instead of clarity, overload causes confusion and exhaustion.
5. Ignoring Feedback
When employees feel unheard, it damages trust and drives disengagement. If staff feedback is consistently ignored or dismissed, employees often feel undervalued, which can contribute to increased stress and higher turnover rates.
6. Last-Minute Surprises
Dropping major updates, deadlines, or policy changes without notice creates unnecessary panic. Employees who are blindsided by unexpected changes feel disrespected and anxious.
7. Overuse of Jargon or Complex Language
Overly technical or confusing communication creates barriers. Employees may hesitate to ask questions for fear of looking unprepared, which results in stress and mistakes.
Best Communication Practices (That Reduce Stress)
At PTR, we understand the critical role of communication in reducing stress and improving performance. With over 20 years of expertise, we’ve trained more than 550,000 professionals across corporations and government agencies.
Our specialized communication Training courses in effective workplace communication, leadership communication, and employee engagement are designed to help managers and teams:
- Effective Workplace Communication – Building clarity and confidence in messaging.
- Leadership Communication – Helping leaders inspire, motivate, and reduce stress.
- Employee Engagement Strategies – Strengthening collaboration and trust across teams.
- Conflict Resolution & Feedback Skills – Equipping managers to handle challenges constructively.
Whether virtual or onsite, our training is designed to deliver measurable results. Leaders who communicate effectively not only reduce stress but also unlock higher performance, engagement, and retention.
Ready to build a stress-resilient workplace through better communication? Explore PTR’s training programs and empower your team today.
