Work-Related Stress
'prevention is better than cure'
What is work-related stress?
Stress is the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them. There is a clear distinction between pressure, which can create a ‘buzz’ and be motivating in a healthy competitive environment and stress, which occurs when this pressure becomes excessive and unhealthy. Extensive information about work-related stress can be found on various governament HSE stress webpages.
Why tackle work related stress?
Work-related stress is a major cause of absence from work. It results in severe physical and psychological conditions, reduced productivity, lack of concentration, accidents, high staff turnover and general low moral. Claims against employers public liability insurance relating to work related stress are on the increases the onus is on you to identify and deal with this effectively. A more holistic 'prevention is better than cure' approach is applauded by H.R organisations and insrance prodivers. Offering free holistic therapies in the work place prevents a multitude of problems, the cost is tax deductible and is a key attraction to prospective employees ESPECIALLY those who are moving job as a RESULT of work related stress.
In addition, health and safety legislation requires you to assess the level of risk from hazards in the workplace and to take all reasonably practicable measures to prevent or sufficiently reduce that risk. The purpose of the risk assessment is to find out whether existing control measures prevent harm or if more should be done.
HSE statistics show that work-related stress is a significant issue with more millions of working days lost as a result of stress, anxiety or depression at a conservative estimated cost of billions to industry, individuals and the government.
