With many of us approaching a permanent return to the office after almost 18 months at home, there is sure to be some anxiety. For this reason, experts at The Knowledge Academy sought to identify our biggest workplace worries, as well as providing tips on how to combat them.

The Knowledge Academy utilised Ahrefs to find the monthly global Google searches for common workplace fears and can now reveal all.

Asking for a raise is our biggest worry

Our biggest workplace worry is asking for a raise, with the query receiving 19,050 global Google searches each month. Many of us find the negotiation of pay a difficult and unapproachable subject, so Talveer Sandhu from The Knowledge Academy has provided his expert opinion on how to ask for a raise politely and effectively:

“When talking to your boss – hone in on the companies’ goals and values. Provide examples of how you have achieved and exceeded these goals and then politely ask to discuss adjusting your pay based on your exceptional efforts.”

The Knowledge Academy found that using LinkedIn was our second workplace worry with a monthly average of 9,000 global searches for ‘how to use LinkedIn.’

Talveer Sandhu has said:

“The uses of LinkedIn differ depending on which sector you are in, but ultimately it is great for networking. Make a start by trying to produce engaging and relevant content, for instance sharing your own top tips about your job or things you have recently found out about your industry, and you’ll reap the benefits quickly enough!”

Calling in sick comes in third

Calling in sick is our third biggest workplace worry, with an average of 5,850 monthly global Google searches for ‘how to call in sick.’ Now more than ever our health is of big concern and often inconvenience, so it is important to get the tone right in the call or email.

Talveer suggests:

“Make sure you are aware of what time you need to call in sick, to ensure your team has had plenty of warning. Avoid listing every symptom you have, as this will look like you are lying. Keep it short and sweet but be polite!”

How to write a resignation letter is our fourth biggest worry, with an average of 2,990 monthly global searches. Whether you have been in the job for years or months, there is no easy way around this no matter what your reasoning is.

Talveer says:

“It is important to maintain professionalism throughout a resignation letter. Start with the fact that you are resigning and follow with your reasoning. Provide your last date of employment so your employer is aware as to when they need to find a replacement. Out of courtesy, offer to help with finding a replacement and finish gracefully by thanking the employer for their time and everything they have helped you with whilst employed.”

Being anxious and stressed makes top 15

In the penultimate position is being stressed and anxious with an average of 350 monthly global searches for ‘how to relieve stress and anxiety at work.’ The Knowledge Academy recently found that those working in the education sector were the most stressed, as 26% of their weekly hours are unpaid.

To reduce anxiety and stress Talveer has said:

“Starting the day on the right foot is the best way to reduce stress. A good breakfast and a positive attitude to the day ahead is so important and can dramatically increase mood. Try taking a walk at lunch to get fresh air and to avoid working through your lunch break. This will also avoid burning out.”

The 15th biggest concern is being organised. ‘How to be organised at work’ receives an average of 310 global google searches per month.

Talveer has said:

“Creating lists of your most important tasks is the best way of staying organised. Setting goals and prioritising what needs to get done first will slowly make other tasks fall into place, as well as reducing stress by compartmentalising the tasks!”