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Work-related stress
The TUC’s 2008 survey of H&S reps found, once again, that overwork or stress is the most frequently identified workplace hazard, with no signs of improvement in most workplaces.
We provide key information and links:
- what is stress?
- why is it such a big issue?
- how do we tackle work-related stress?
- what are the stress management standards?
- implementing the stress management standards approach
- individual concerns
- stress training for Prospect reps.
What is stress?
The HSE defines it as “the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them.” People experience stress when they perceive an imbalance between the demands made of them and the resources they have available to cope with those demands.
There is a clear distinction between pressure, which can create a ‘buzz’ and be a motivator, and stress, which becomes a risk to safety and health when it is protracted. This is because it is associated with mental and physcial ill-health including depression, anxiety and heart disease. Stress can also lead to people making mistakes (human error), with an increased likelihood of accidents.Besides the moral and legal reasons for tackling stress, there is an obvious business case for tackling stress in terms of the cost to UK plc of working days lost and health care provision.
Stress can affect anyone and undermines the health and safety of individuals, the health of organisations and the health of the national economy.
Why is stress such a big issue?
More and more people are affected by work-related stress because of:- changes in work design, organisation and management
- precarious contracts
- job insecurity
- increases in the intensity and pace of work
- high emotional demands being made of workers
- violence and psychological harassment
- poor work-life balance.
How do we tackle work-related stress?
Tackling work-related stress isn't easy.
However, HSE has produced stress management standards and guidelines on work-related stress for employers, employees and their representatives.
Prospect supports this well-researched and reputable approach, the focus of which is tackling stress for groups of workers. You can play your part by working with your employer, identifying issues at source and agreeing realistic and workable ways to tackle these.
What are the stress management standards?
The Standards look at the six key areas of work that, if properly managed, can help to reduce work-related stress. They provide simple statements about good management practice in each area:
- Demands – eg workload, work patterns and the work environment
- Control – how much say you have in the way you do your work
- Support – the encouragement and resources provided by your employer, line management and colleagues
- Relationships – eg promoting positive working to avoid conflict and dealing with unacceptable behaviour
- Role – being clear about your role and avoiding conflicting roles
- Change – how organisational change is managed and communicated in the organisation.
HSE does not expect every employer to meet all the standards at their first attempt. The standards are goals that employers should be working towards through an ongoing process of risk assessment, worker involvement and continuous improvement.
Implementing the stress management standards approach
Successful implementation requires:
- leadership, commitment and involvement - senior management commitment and worker involvement are necessary throughout the process for staff to be willing to take part. Ideally, the process should be championed by a senior manager.
- effective communications - a carefully considered communications plan is required, setting out recognition of the problem and a commitment to making improvements. Two-way communications is essential, so it is vital H&S reps are engaged throughout.
- risk assessment - and patience. This is not something that can be done overnight. It's more about project management, requiring a project champion, plan and steering group.
- intelligence - gathering information and data, such as staff turnover, sickness absenteeism, performance appraisals, exit interviews and staff surveys (the list is not exhaustive).
Further guidance can be found in "Working together to reduce stress at work: a guide for employees" and at HSE's stress web pages. These provide extensive information with case studies and links to free leaflets. Your employer should purchase the priced publications and make them available to Prospect H&S reps.
Individual concerns
Employers have a duty to take reasonable steps to try to resolve a known stressor an employee is experiencing, irrespective of whether the source of stress is at work or home.
Employees have a duty to tell their employer if they believe their health or safety is being affected by work or home stressors. An employer can't be expected to resolve a problem not known to them. Finding a way to speak to a line manager, HR or an employee assistance service may help the employee to report their concerns.
Help
- Guidance for individuals experiencing stress and for their managers is a good starting point and provides brief lifestyle advice.
- Reps can help by providing advice and aiding problem-solving. However, reps are not counsellors and have limited resources. It is for the employer to provide appropriate staff support.
- Prospect staff also provide help and support.
Stress training for Prospect reps
Prospect has been piloting a 'tackling work-related stress' training course for our reps, applying the stress management standards approach. The course is now being evaluated with a view to a targeted roll-out starting mid 2009.
If work-related stress is a priority for your branch, the branch chair or secretary should notify their FTO with details of an experienced rep/H&S rep the branch wants trained. They will then be asked to cascade the training within the branch, so selecting the right rep is key.
Feedback
We are interested in your views and welcome suggestions on how these webpages could be improved or your ideas for new content you would like to see. Please email us at SafetyReps@prospect.org.uk