Stress in the Workplace

There are a number of sites that deal with stress, although just by keying in this word will bring up a lot of sites that just advertise pills and potions to deal with it! However, the best place to start for information on the subject is the HSE site athttp://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/ This site gives a definition of stress and includes a list of resources that are all accessible just by clicking on them. These cover seven separate subjects such as the HSE’s Management Standards for Stress and how to use them, details of the HSE’s published guidance on tackling work-related stress, through to advice for individuals and managers of individuals suffering from work-related ill-health.

Following on from this is one of the HSE’s guidance booklets entitled “Work Related Stress – a Short Guide” and this is accessible from:http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg281.pdf#search This is available as a pdf document and contains some useful advice on the subject. It is also available as a free booklet obtainable from the HSE Books website.

For an example of a company stress policy document, again published by the HSE, take a look at http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/standards/pdfs/examplepolicy.pdf Whilst this policy is recommended for small firms and those with a workforce up to 750 employees it is only a “broad-brush” policy but it does contain all of the necessary ingredients to be developed and tailored to meet individual employers needs.

The Trade Unions, of course, also have something to say about stress in the workplace and a good starting point is the TUC site at: http://www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/index.cfm?mins=37 The opening page directs you to other links which contain additional information and which describe the TUC’s approach to stress in the workplace and is well worth a look.

Not to be outdone, Channel 4 also has some information on the subject that can be viewed at http://www.channel4.com/health/microsites/0-9/4health/stress/index.html This is a useful site that contains information on all kinds of stress, not just in the workplace. The left hand side of the opening page shows a drop down menu that gives various headings under the title of stress. Again, well worth a look to get the bigger picture.

There are, of course, many more sites but I think to quote you any more would be too stressful! Happy surfing!

Frank Cooper MIOSH RSP