StressatWorkKnowItIdentifyItTackleItWork-relatedstressisdefinedas“theadversereactionpeoplehavetoexcessivepressuresorothertypesofdemandplacedonthem”.WhatisStressatWorkStressatWork-theCauseslonghoursshiftworkunrealistictargetsordeadlinestoomuchortoolittleworklackofcontrolandconflictingdemands(especiallyamongthelowergrades)poormanagementbadrelationswithotherworkcolleaguesrepetitivework,boredomandlackofjobsatisfactionStressatWork-theCausesworkingalonejobinsecurityjobororganisationalchangelowpayjobswithheavyemotionaldemandsbullying,harassmentandeitheractualorthreatenedviolenceapoorworkingenvironment(suchasexcessivenoise,thepresenceofdangerousmaterials,overcrowding,poorfacilities,orextremesoftemperatureorhumidity)StressatWork-theEffectsunusualtearfulness,irritabilityoraggressionindecisivenessincreasedsicknessabsencepoortimekeepingreducedperformance,forexample,aninabilitytoconcentrateoverworkingorfailuretodelegateanxietydepressionpanicattacksheadachesStressatWork-theEffectschangesinbehaviourraisedbloodpressureindigestionmuscletensionincreasedheartrateerosionofself-confidencerelationshipproblems,forexample,becomingwithdrawnorargumentativewithcolleaguesincreasedunwillingnesstoco-operateoracceptadviceexcessivesmokingordrinkingdrugabuseStressatWork-theLawHealthandSafetyatWorkAct/Order–requiresemployerstoensurethehealth,safetyandwelfareoftheiremployeesManagementofHealthandSafetyatWorkRegulations-carryoutasuitableandsufficientriskassessmentHSEStressManagementStandardsWhatEmployersShouldDotalktotheirstaffaboutwork-relatedstressandexplainwhatareastheywanttoidentifysetupaworkinggrouptohelp(whichincludestradeunionsafety/employeerepresentatives,theunithealthandsafetyofficer,oneormoresupervisorsorlinemanagers,anHRrepresentativeand,wherepossible,someonefromtheoccupationalhealthservice)explainthatthefirststepistoundertakeariskassessment-asurveycouldbeusedforthispurposeaskthegrouptoassistintheassessmentagreearealisticdatewhenthekeyfindingsoftheriskassessmentwillbeavailable.StressRiskAssessmentStep1.Identifythehazards-whatcouldcauseharmandhow?Step2.Decidewhocanbeharmed-Identifypeopleatriskwhocouldbeharmed,andhow?Isanyoneparticularlyvulnerable?Step3.EvaluatetherisksStep4.Recordthemainfindings(andimplementthem!)Step5.Monitorandreviewtheeffectivenessofanycontrolmeasures(revisethemifnecessary).HSEStressStandardsDemands-Includesissueslikeworkload,workpatterns,andtheworkenvironmentControl-HowmuchsaythepersonhasinthewaytheydotheirworkSupport-Includestheencouragement,sponsorshipandresourcesprovidedbytheorganisation,linemanagementandcolleaguesRelationships-Includespromotingpositiveworkingtoavoidconflictanddealingwithunacceptablebehaviour.Role-WhetherpeopleunderstandtheirrolewithintheorganisationandwhethertheorganisationensuresthatthepersondoesnothaveconflictingrolesChange-Howorganisationalchange(largeorsmall)ismanagedandcommunicatedintheorganisationHSEStressIndicatorTool35questionsasasurveydevisedbytheHSEwithoutanytradeunionoremployerbiasAnalysisoftheresultswillgivethestressworkinggrouptheabilitytodirectresourcestoareaswhenproblemsariseAlsogivespointerstogoodpractice–sothattheorganisationcanbuildonthisCanbebenchmarkedviatheHSEtoothersimilarorganisationsItisimperativethattheworkinggroupensuresconfidentialityandhascommittedresourcestoensurethatissuesareidentifiedandsupportedtoasatisfactoryconclusionWhatBranchesCanDoHavingcollectedtheinformationensuretheemployerletsmembersknowtheoutcomeofthesurveyandreporttheoutcomestoyourhealthandsafetycommittee.EnsurethattheimplementationoftheHSEStandardsinyourworkplaceisaregularitemontheHealthandSafetyCommitteeagenda.Thefindingswillbeanimportanttoolinhowmanagement,indiscussionwiththeCommittee,carriesouttheirownriskassessmentandensurestheStandardsaremet.TheCommitteeneedstoestablishaprogrammeofworktoimplementtheStandards.Ifsuchacommitteedoesnotexistthendiscussionsdirectlywiththeemployerwillbeneeded.IfyouremployerisuncooperativethenraisewiththeHSE.TheimplementationofthestandardsisstillakeyHSEpriorityandtheycanhelp.WhatBranchesCanDoTalkwithmembersaboutthewayworkcandamagehealthTacklemanagementabouttheirlegalresponsibilityforthehealth,safetyandwelfareofemployees,includingriskassessingandpreventinghazardsatwork,andaboutthenecessityofhavingastresspreventionpolicy.Helpanymemberwhoissufferingfromstressbygettingasappropriate:-areviewoftheriskassessmentforthejobincluding-achangeof,orchangesinthejob-moretrainingand/ormoresupport-moreflexibilityinhowthejobisdone-accesstoindependentcounselingandrepresentationatanydisciplinaryordismissalprocedure.UNISONStressResourcesStockNo.1725StockNo.1351HSEStressResourceshttp://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/AlloftheHSE’sStressresourcescanbefoundonthefollowingwebpage,including:SupportDocumentsAdviceonOrganisationalResponsibilitiesStressIndicatorToolStressIndicatorToolGuidelinesBenchmarkinginformation