ALARM SE CONFERENCE
2nd & 3rd November 2005
Stress Management Workshop
Hertfordshire County Councilwww.hertsdirect.org
Facts and Myths
FACTThe best estimate is that 33 million days a year are
lost through work-related ill health, too high by any standards. Stress accounts for around thirteen and a half million working days lost or about 40% of the total.
FACT
On average 29 working days are lost for each case of stress-related illness
Facts and Myths
MYTHCounselling stops work-related stress!Counselling may help individuals but it is unlikely to
tackle the cause of stress.
MYTHThere’s nothing employers can do to prevent work-
related stress!Employers can take steps to prevent work-related
stress, from consultation to employee support schemes.
Facts and Myths
MYTH
Stress is a mental illness!
Stress is a natural reaction to excessive pressure.
MYTH
Stress only happens to wimps!
Fact: Anyone can suffer from stress.
EXERCISEThe Psychosocial Questionnaire
HSE Management Standards for Work related Stress
The HSE Management Standard areas are:
* demands* control* support - managerial and peer* relationships* role* change
www.hse.gov.uk/stress/standards/index.htm
Ill health, leading to serious ill-health if not resolved.
Poor relationships, professional and personal.
Deterioration in productivity and job satisfaction.
Impact on IndividualsImpact on Individuals
Loss of productivity
High sickness absence and cost of cover
Poor retention of staff with added costs of recruitment
and training
Legal costs from prosecution
Adverse publicity / corporate image
Loss of public confidence
Impact on OrganisationsImpact on Organisations
Three main phases in the Standards A psychosocial questionnaire to employees
A series of focus groups with a cross
section of employees to investigate the
findings of the questionnaire
A review of policy in relation to managing
work related stress
Employee Stress Focus Groups
Maximum of 10 to a group
Run for 2 hours with facilitator
Cover following areas: test results against ‘reality’
identify and expose specific issues
identify possible solutions
identify good practice
EXERCISEMini Focus Group
Review of Policies and Procedures Analyse the Focus Groups and make
recommendations to Board
Review your Stress Management Policy
in light of results
Include stress management in auditing
process and surveys as proactive
performance indicator
to summarise ...
Key Messages
Work related stress is
preventable
Actions need to be proactive
Positive results are beneficial to
both individuals and the
organisation
I can’t take no more!!!
ALARM SE CONFERENCE
2nd & 3rd November 2005
Stress Management Workshop
Hertfordshire County Councilwww.hertsdirect.org
