ALARM SE CONFERENCE 2 nd & 3 rd November 2005 Stress Management Workshop Hertfordshire County Council

Facts and Myths FACT The 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 MYTH Counselling stops work-related stress! Counselling may help individuals but it is unlikely to tackle the cause of stress. MYTH There’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.

EXERCISE The Psychosocial Questionnaire

HSE Management Standards for Work related Stress The HSE Management Standard areas are: * demands * control * support - managerial and peer * relationships * role * change

Ill health, leading to serious ill-health if not resolved. Poor relationships, professional and personal. Deterioration in productivity and job satisfaction. Impact 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 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

EXERCISE Mini 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 ç Work related stress is preventable ç Actions need to be proactive ç Positive results are beneficial to both individuals and the organisation I can’t take no more!!!

ALARM SE CONFERENCE 2 nd & 3 rd November 2005 Stress Management Workshop Hertfordshire County Council