Leadership has a significant influence on how people experience their workplace. A supportive manager can help employees feel valued, respected and confident, while poor leadership can contribute to stress, anxiety, burnout and disengagement.
For some employees, the impact can be difficult to recognise at first. You might find yourself dreading work on Sunday night, constantly worrying about making mistakes, feeling unable to switch off after work, or becoming exhausted by interactions with your manager. You may even start thinking, “I need help with anxiety,” without realising how closely your work environment may be connected to how you are feeling.
Workplace mental health is not simply an individual issue. Leadership, workload, communication, workplace relationships and organisational culture can all play a role.
For employees looking for counselling in New Zealand, understanding these influences can be an important first step towards getting support.
How Does Leadership Affect Employee Mental Health?
Leadership affects more than productivity and performance. The way managers communicate, make decisions and respond to employees can influence whether people feel psychologically safe and supported at work.
Healthy leadership can help create a workplace where employees feel comfortable asking questions, raising concerns and acknowledging when they are struggling. In contrast, inconsistent, overly critical or unsupportive leadership can contribute to ongoing workplace stress.
Some leadership behaviours that may affect employee wellbeing include:
Unrealistic workloads or expectations
Poor communication or unclear responsibilities
Micromanagement or a lack of autonomy
Excessive criticism or blame
Favouritism or inconsistent treatment
Lack of recognition or appreciation
Poor handling of workplace conflict
Not listening to employee concerns
Expecting employees to be constantly available
Failing to address bullying or inappropriate behaviour
Creating a culture where taking breaks or using leave is discouraged
One difficult interaction with a manager does not necessarily mean a workplace is unhealthy. However, when these experiences become ongoing, they can have a meaningful impact on mental health.
What Can Poor Leadership Feel Like?
The effects of workplace stress can look different for everyone.
You might notice that you:
Feel anxious before work or meetings
Constantly worry about making mistakes
Find it difficult to concentrate
Feel emotionally or physically exhausted
Have trouble sleeping because you are thinking about work
Become more irritable or withdrawn
Lose motivation or enjoyment in your work
Feel undervalued or unappreciated
Avoid speaking up because you are worried about the response
Find it difficult to switch off after work
Experience physical symptoms such as headaches or muscle tension
Feel trapped, overwhelmed or unsure about what to do next
Sometimes people assume they simply need to become more resilient or learn to cope better. While developing healthy coping strategies can be useful, it is also important to consider what is happening around you.
Mental health at work is influenced by both individual and organisational factors.
Leadership, Workplace Stress and Burnout
Leadership can be particularly important when employees are experiencing prolonged workplace stress.
Stress is a normal response to challenging situations. However, ongoing pressure without enough opportunity for recovery can leave a person feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
Burnout can involve feelings of exhaustion, emotional distance from work and a reduced sense of effectiveness. It is not simply being tired after a particularly busy week.
For example, an employee may initially cope with a demanding period by working longer hours. If this continues without adequate support or recovery, they may eventually find themselves struggling to concentrate, feeling disconnected from their work or becoming increasingly anxious about their responsibilities.
Leadership cannot prevent every source of workplace stress, but good leaders can help identify unreasonable pressures and create an environment where employees can speak openly about concerns.
The Importance of Psychological Safety
Psychological safety is about feeling able to speak up, ask questions, admit mistakes and raise concerns without fear of humiliation or punishment.
This does not mean that employees should never be challenged or held accountable. Healthy workplaces can have high expectations while still treating people with respect.
A psychologically safe workplace may encourage employees to say:
“I don't understand this. Can you explain it?”
“My workload is becoming difficult to manage.”
“I made a mistake and I need help fixing it.”
“I'm concerned about how this situation is being handled.”
When employees do not feel safe speaking up, problems can remain hidden until they become much more difficult to address.
What About the Employee's Responsibility?
Leadership is only one part of workplace mental health.
Employees also have a role in looking after their wellbeing, communicating their needs where possible and seeking support when they are struggling. However, it is important not to place the entire responsibility for workplace wellbeing on the individual.
If someone is experiencing ongoing stress because of excessive workload, bullying, poor communication or an unsafe workplace culture, telling them to simply “manage their stress better” does not address the underlying problem.
A healthier approach considers both:
What support does the individual need?
and
What needs to change within the workplace?
When Should You Seek Help for Workplace Stress?
You do not have to wait until you reach breaking point before seeking support.
It may be worth talking with a counsellor if work-related stress is beginning to affect your sleep, relationships, mood, confidence or ability to function outside work.
You might be thinking:
“I can't switch off from work.”
“I feel anxious every time my manager contacts me.”
“I don't know how much longer I can keep doing this.”
“I'm constantly worrying about work.”
“I feel like I've lost confidence in myself.”
“I need help with anxiety.”
“I think I'm experiencing burnout.”
Counselling can also be useful if you are unsure whether your workplace is contributing to what you are experiencing and want a confidential space to work through it.
If you are experiencing severe distress or are concerned about your immediate safety, seek urgent support rather than waiting for a counselling appointment.
How Can Counselling Help With Workplace Stress?
Counselling provides a confidential space to step back from what is happening and understand how it is affecting you.
A counsellor can help you explore your thoughts, emotions, relationships and responses to workplace situations without judging you or automatically telling you what decision to make.
Depending on your circumstances, counselling may help you:
Understand the sources of your workplace stress
Identify patterns that may be contributing to anxiety or overwhelm
Develop healthier boundaries around work
Build confidence in communicating your needs
Work through difficult workplace relationships
Manage anxious thoughts
Develop strategies for coping with stressful situations
Process difficult or upsetting workplace experiences
Consider what changes may be helpful
Reconnect with your values and priorities
Different therapeutic approaches may be useful depending on your needs. Counselling may draw on approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), solution-focused approaches or other evidence-informed therapies.
The most important consideration is finding an approach that fits you and your situation.
What Can You Expect From a Counselling Session?
Your first counselling session is an opportunity to talk about what has been happening and what you would like support with.
You do not need to arrive with everything worked out.
You might talk about:
What has been happening at work
How your manager or workplace relationships are affecting you
How you have been feeling
Changes you have noticed in your sleep, mood or stress levels
What you have already tried
What you would like to be different
Your counsellor can work with you to identify what support may be most helpful.
Counselling is not about telling you whether you should quit your job, confront your manager or stay where you are. Instead, it can give you space to understand your options and make decisions that are right for you.
Practical Ways to Protect Your Mental Health at Work
Counselling is one form of support, but there are also practical steps that may help protect your wellbeing.
Set boundaries where possible
Consider when you are available for work-related communication and when you need time away from work. If your role allows it, avoid checking work emails or messages during your personal time.
Take breaks
Regular breaks can be easy to skip when work is busy. Taking time away from your screen or workspace can help create opportunities to reset during the day.
Identify what is within your control
You may not be able to change your manager or the wider organisation. Focusing on the areas you can influence can help reduce the feeling that everything is outside your control.
Talk to someone you trust
Keeping workplace stress entirely to yourself can make it feel heavier. Consider speaking with someone you trust, whether that is a colleague, friend, family member, manager or professional counsellor.
Keep a record of ongoing workplace concerns
If you are experiencing repeated inappropriate behaviour, bullying or unreasonable workplace practices, keeping a factual record of what is happening may be useful if you later need to raise concerns through appropriate workplace channels.
Make time for life outside work
Relationships, hobbies, exercise, rest and activities that give you a sense of enjoyment can help create balance when work is demanding.
A New Zealand Perspective on Workplace Mental Health
Mental health and wellbeing at work need to be considered within the context of New Zealand workplaces and communities.
For Māori employees, wellbeing may also be understood through a more holistic perspective that recognises the importance of relationships, whānau, culture, connection and the wider environment. Concepts such as hauora highlight that wellbeing is not only about an individual's mental state but is connected to physical, social and spiritual dimensions.
A culturally responsive approach to counselling should recognise that people have different values, backgrounds, relationships and understandings of wellbeing. There is no single approach that will work for everyone.
In New Zealand, employees may also have access to workplace wellbeing services, Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), primary healthcare and other support alongside counselling.
Depending on the circumstances, ACC may also provide support for some mental health conditions related to covered physical injuries or specific sensitive claims. Eligibility depends on individual circumstances, so it is important to discuss this with an appropriate health professional or ACC.
Counselling for Workplace Stress in New Zealand
You do not have to wait until workplace stress becomes overwhelming before asking for help.
Whether you are dealing with a difficult manager, ongoing workplace pressure, anxiety, burnout or uncertainty about your career, talking with a counsellor can provide a confidential space to make sense of what you are experiencing.
If you are searching for workplace stress help in NZ, therapy for workplace anxiety in NZ, or trying to find a counsellor near me NZ, professional support may be a useful place to start.
At ECS, counselling is available for employees and individuals experiencing a range of personal and workplace concerns. Support can be tailored to your circumstances, whether you are trying to manage current workplace stress, navigate a difficult relationship at work or understand how your work is affecting your wider wellbeing.
You don't have to work through it alone. Get in touch with ECS to find out how counselling could support you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a manager affect an employee's mental health?
Yes. Leadership can influence workplace stress, psychological safety, job satisfaction and an employee's sense of support and belonging. However, mental health is influenced by many factors, including workload, personal circumstances, workplace culture and relationships.
What are the signs of a toxic manager?
There is no single definition of a “toxic manager”, but ongoing behaviours such as excessive criticism, intimidation, favouritism, unreasonable expectations, poor communication, micromanagement or dismissing employee concerns can contribute to an unhealthy workplace environment.
Can a bad manager cause anxiety?
A difficult or consistently stressful relationship with a manager can contribute to anxiety for some people. If workplace anxiety is affecting your sleep, relationships, confidence or daily life, counselling may provide useful support.
How can counselling help with workplace stress?
Counselling can provide a confidential space to explore what is happening, understand how it is affecting you, develop coping strategies, establish boundaries and consider your options.
Should I see a counsellor for work stress?
You can speak with a counsellor at any point when workplace stress is affecting your wellbeing. You do not need to wait until you are experiencing severe distress.
Is workplace counselling confidential in New Zealand?
Counselling is generally confidential, although there are legal and ethical limits to confidentiality in certain circumstances. Your counsellor should explain confidentiality and its limits when you begin counselling.
Can I get counselling through my employer?
Some New Zealand workplaces provide access to counselling through an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). You can also seek private counselling independently of your employer. If you are unsure what options are available to you, ask your workplace or contact a counselling provider.
How do I find a counsellor near me in New Zealand?
You can search for a counsellor based on your location, the type of support you are looking for and whether you prefer face-to-face or online sessions. Choosing someone who understands workplace mental health can be particularly useful when your concerns are related to your job.
What if my workplace is affecting my mental health but I cannot leave my job?
You do not necessarily need to make a major decision immediately. Counselling can provide a space to explore what is happening, identify what you can change and consider different options at your own pace.
You Don't Have to Navigate Workplace Stress Alone
Leadership has a powerful role in shaping workplace culture, but employees do not have to carry the effects of workplace stress alone.
If work is beginning to affect your mood, confidence, relationships, sleep or ability to enjoy life outside the workplace, reaching out for support can be an important step.
ECS provides counselling support for individuals experiencing workplace and personal challenges across New Zealand. Contact ECS to discuss your situation and find out how counselling may be able to help.