Introduction

” 197 million working days are lost due to stress, more than any other cause “, (TUC 1998).

” 27 million (40%) of the workforce take time off work each day due to stress related illness “, (BUPA, 1997).

” Sixty percent of the working population are stressed at work “, (Office of National Statistics, 2001).

Stress is expensive and leads to absenteeism, lost production, poor motivation and under performance. Stressed staff do not perform to their potential.

Employers have a legal duty to provide a safe and comfortable working environment for their staff, this includes looking after their mental well-being. Stress can be reduced and managed.

Workers exposed to stress for at least half of their working lives are 25% more likely to die from a heart attack and have 50% higher odds of suffering a fatal stroke according to the ‘modern workers health check’ featured in a recent issue of the TUC backed Hazards magazine. TUC research shows that stress is Britain’s number one workplace health hazard.

The ‘modern workers health check’ has revealed that …

•workers with stressful jobs are more than twice as likely to die from heart disease

•an individual’s mental health deteriorates when a change in workload results in higher demands, less control and reduced support. Poor management planning and organisation can lead to heart disease.

•working for unreasonable and unfair bosses leads to dangerously high blood pressure.

•workers are smoking, drinking and ’slobbing out’ to deal with workplace stress.

•long term work-related stress is worse for the heart than ageing 30 years or gaining 40lbs in weight.

Speaking on the latest figures TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber, said “Stress at work is cutting workers lifes short. This enormous strain on individuals and society will only end when we tackle the causes of stress such as overwork and the long-hours culture. The UK needs a work force that works well and stays well.”

Objectives

By the end of the programme the candidate will be able to …

• explain what is meant by the term stress and in particular work-related stress.

• explain the importance of controlling stress in the workplace.

• explain the typical stress related factors in the workplace.

• identify stress in colleagues and themselves.

• advise on and implement controls in the workplace to reduce stress.

• monitor colleagues and themselves in relation to stress at work.

Content

The Award is made up of the following sections …

Section One

Definitions of stress

Section Two

Stress as an occupational health hazard

Section Three

Identification of basic workplace stressors

Section Four

Development of basic controls for work-related stressors

Section Five

Responsibilities imposed under UK legislation

The Course

The Course is delivered over one full day or over two sessions of equivalent length … but read on …

The Course can be delivered over a full day, or two half days or evenings. We have no problems fitting in with existing work shift patterns and are happy to teach the course early morning, late evening or overnight if required!

The way in which the Course is delivered and the materials used vary dependant on the nature of the group and their working environment.

The Course can be tailored to reflect your particular industry if delivered as a ‘closed’ course – that is solely to you or your employees.

Assessment

The assessment is by means of a review of the candidates own work practices and is designed to be completed under tutor supervision following the training.

Accessibility

We do everything we can to ensure that our courses are accessible to all