October 2006
Stress – The Problem Is Growing
Recent statistics published by Workplace Health Connect have identified stress as the second most important topic by callers using the service.
The top five topics for callers are:
- Hazard identification and risk assessment
- Stress
- Sickness absence
- Hazardous materials
- Return to work issues.
Nearly 60% of the calls made to the service are from employees checking on their rights and only 40% are from employers.
The effects of stress in the workplace are becoming better understood and stress now accounts for more days sick per year than the traditional "bad back". Although the consequences are well understood, the most appropriate ways of managing stress are not with the only a small minority of organisations having any structured approach to stress management and the identification of risks. One of the most appropriate ways of understanding and reducing the risks is through a business audit against the Health and Safety Executive's six stress standards.
The Business Audit Includes:
- Discussions with the Senior Managers to agree:
- The objective of the audit
- The process to be followed
- The resources required
- Personal interviews with employees and senior managers to raise issues regarding the organisation's management and communication systems. These discussions can be used to identify current practices in use across the business, understand how employees are using the systems, and determine how satisfied they are with how employees are receiving information.
- Review groups with employees to explore perceived business issues, including those raised by senior managers, and to identify other issues that these individuals feel are important.
- A survey of employees, including management, asking for their input on communication and management issues. This survey can be done on a one-to-one basis, online or a combination of the two methods.
- Delivery of survey analysis and recommendations for improvement.
The Benefits of a Structured Business Audit Include:
- Determining if the company meets the six standards laid out by the Health and Safety Executive for the management of stress in the workplace.
- Determining the effectiveness of the company's management system in getting information to employees in a consistent manner.
- Identifying perceived problems within the workplace.
- Reducing costs by eliminating those processes that are ineffective and concentrating on the ones that are most productive for the company.
- Creating a robust plan for the resolution of the issues raised. The plan would include training and development, communication system improvements and process redesigns.
Organisations that implement a well-planned Business Audit reap numerous benefits. The audit gives these organisations the knowledge they need to make decisions which make the best use of company resources. At the same time, improved communication may give employees more useful and timely information, while inspiring them to be more productive workers.
We have a case study to further highlight these benefits. If you would like to know more please contact us to discuss either the needs of your team or the organisation.
Print this page