2. W o r k i n g f o r S c o t l a n d ’ s C o l l e g e s Self-Preservation and developing resilience Iain Guthrie Advisor – Wider Access

3. W o r k i n g f o r S c o t l a n d ’ s C o l l e g e s

4. Aims of session Raise awareness and understanding of stress in the workplace – causes and impact Identify a range of personal strategies to alleviate / reduce stress Explore current thinking and national initiatives relating to stress matters including health and safety executive Find ways to work together and reduce stress

5. W o r k i n g f o r S c o t l a n d ’ s C o l l e g e s Activity 1 (10 minutes) Where are you now in relation to stress levels? Low 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 High Where would you like to be in 6 months time? Low 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 High

6. W o r k i n g f o r S c o t l a n d ’ s C o l l e g e s Activity 2 (20 minutes) Group A Discuss in your group the causes of stress and rank according to your own Experience(s). (rank) Group B Discuss in your group the impact of stress and identify symptoms and characteristics. (list)

7. W o r k i n g f o r S c o t l a n d ’ s C o l l e g e s What is work related stress, and why do we need to tackle it? These is a difference between stress and pressure Pressure is an everyday occurrence which encourages us to perform at our best. When we experience too much pressure without the opportunity to recover we start to experience stress Work-related stress can be tackled by working with your employers to identify issues at source and agreeing realistic and workable ways to tackle these.

8. W o r k i n g f o r S c o t l a n d ’ s C o l l e g e s “Stress is often a symptom of poor employment relations and can seriously affect productivity. Organisations who talk regularly with their employees and have sound systems and procedures in place for dealing with issues like absence and discipline are much more likely to avoid work-related stress and to be able to deal with potentially stressful situations when they arise” Acas

9. W o r k i n g f o r S c o t l a n d ’ s C o l l e g e s “Workplace stress is one of the biggest causes of employee absence – and also one of the more difficult issues to manage. The Management Standards will help employers identify and manage stress at work by providing a framework to pinpoint particular causes of stress, as well as achievable solutions” CIPD

10. W o r k i n g f o r S c o t l a n d ’ s C o l l e g e s Activity 3 (10 minutes) Relationship to mental health Promoting positive mental health Definition Mental Health is the emotional and spiritual resilience which enables us to enjoy life, survive pain, suffering and disappointment. It is a positive sense of well-being and an underlying belief in our own and others dignity and worth.

11. W o r k i n g f o r S c o t l a n d ’ s C o l l e g e s The Management Standards (HSE) 6 key areas (or risk factors) The DEMANDS of your job Your CONTROL over your work The SUPPORT you receive from managers and colleagues Your RELATIONSHIPS at work Your ROLE IN THE ORGANISATION CHANGE and how it is managed

12. W o r k i n g f o r S c o t l a n d ’ s C o l l e g e s Activity 4 – What next? Individual Action Plan (10 min) What does the organisation need to consider / change / introduce to reduce stress at work?

13. W o r k i n g f o r S c o t l a n d ’ s C o l l e g e s Tel: 01786 892114 Fax: 01786 892001 e-mail: iain.guthrie@sfeu.ac.uk Website: www.sfeu.ac.uk Contact details