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Stress has been defined as "The reaction
that people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed
upon them". It arises when they worry that they can't cope. If you
are an employer the consequences for your business can be serious if you
fail to recognise or deal effectively with staff suffering stress. Apart
from the cost of ill members of staff, you have a duty under the Health
& Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to conduct your undertaking so as to
reduce the risk of ill health so far as is reasonably practicable.
Causes
Stress in itself is not an illness but a state experienced by individuals
as a reaction to a wide range of work demands. Different people will perceive
different events as stressful. Whilst a certain amount of pressure is
healthy for individuals, too much will be harmful.
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Effects On the Individual
There can be both physical and behavioural effects. Physical symptoms
could be;
Behavioural effects could include;
There may also be a tendency to drink more alcohol, smoke more and to
use stimulants such as caffeine or amphetamines for example.
In the long term failure to deal with stress can lead to mental ill health
such as depression, strange behaviour and lifestyle, drug and alcohol
abuse and dependence on alcohol or drugs.
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Effects On the Business
There could be major implications for your business. An individual suffering
from the ill effects of stress may perform poorly; significant numbers
of your staff suffering stress will impact severely on your efficiency
and success. Symptoms or "organisational stress" are;
Dealing With Stress
You must treat stress as you would any other cause of ill health in the
work place. Your starting point will be your risk assessments (see Advice
Sheet 2) which should identify tasks that may lead to significant
levels of stress. You must then seek to eliminate or reduce those things
causing stress and failing that, to manage the effects of stress.
In addition, it is important that early signs of stress are spotted and
the individuals given appropriate support before ill health develops.
Recognition may be difficult as mental health problems are often seen
as something to conceal; or others may confuse the symptoms with a lack
of motivation or laziness. It is important to overcome prejudice, ignorance
and negative attitudes since with proper management the individual has
a treatable condition.
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Your Strategy
This will consist of three elements: prevention, management and remedial
action.
1. Prevention
This means identifying the underlying problems in the workplace and eliminating
or reducing those elements which act as stressors. It is usual to carry
out a stress audit (typically a self-administered questionnaire) of the
organisation, or a department. From this you will be able to identify
preventive measures, for example, an organisational change, improvements
in working conditions, job redesign, flexible working arrangements, family
friendly working etc.
2. Management
You can improve the skills of your staff in recognising and dealing
with stress more effectively through training. There are many types of
course on the market with differing approaches so finding one to suit
your requirements should be possible.
Another increasingly popular approach is to develop or participate in
Health Enhancement Programs that directly promote positive health behaviour
in the workplace.
3. Remedial Action
When staff are already suffering problems in the workplace then counselling
can have a positive benefit. Research has shown that there can be substantial
reduction in absenteeism and other health effects. The service can be
provided in-house or by an outside agency depending on your size and resources.
Counselling can be particularly beneficial where stress is caused by factors
which cannot be changed e.g. lack of job security, or where the effects
of domestic problems may impinge on work life.
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Further Information
Stress at Work - guide for employers, HS(G)116; Help on work related
stress - short guide, IND(G)281; Mental well-being in the workplace -
A resource pack for management training and development, HSE Books ISBN
0-7176-1524-3
 Advice
Sheet 13: Stress at Work
A copy of this advice sheet is available to download in the following
formats:
Advice
Sheet 13: Stress at Work - MS
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Sheet 13: Stress at Work - PDF format 71Kb 
Advice
Sheet 13: Stress at Work - Plain
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Cymraeg
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