What is the biggest problem in UK work places?
According to new research published by the TUC, stress is the biggest problem in UK work place. A TUC survey of safety representatives found excessive workloads, job cuts and rapid change to be the most common triggers of stress in the workplace.
The TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said stress is a preventable problem and UK employers simply aren’t doing enough to minimise its impact. People who suffer from stress aren’t wimps, and their symptoms can make them really ill. Stressed out employees are more likely to experience weight loss, high blood pressure, depression and even heart attacks’
The Health and Safety Executive recognises that work related stress is a major cause of occupational ill health, which leads to sickness absence, high staff turnover and poor performance in organisations. The HSE’s Management standards can help minimise the impact of stress on your business and may even help improve organisational performance. They are based on the 6 main causes of stress including demands, control, support relationships, role and change.
So how can employees be assisted in the inevitable stress that comes with most roles? It is important to remember that a little bit of stress isn’t a bad thing and that if approached constructively a certain amount of stress can be beneficial. Positive confrontation can be an excellent coping mechanism when faced with stress. Managers should encourage employees to recognise triggers that are causing them stress and support them in confronting these triggers. Developing skills and gaining experience in an area that they find stressful can help reduce the effects of stress.
For more information on stress in the workplace visit www.hse.gov/stress and www.tuc.org.uk. If you would like information on how Extended DISC can help assess the extent of stress in your business or how Extended DISC can help manage stress amongst employees please call Kerry Munday on 01249 700295.