Stress

Danish Methods of Managing Stress submitted by Rowan Merewood — last modified 2006-02-21 15:53

How can we assess and manage stress at work ? While research into the causes of stress-related psychological and physical illness has progressed rapidly over the last ten years, employers, workers and enforcemnt agenices await techniques which are found acceptable to all. The recent consultation process conducted by HSE has parallels all over Europe. I recently visited a branch of the Danish Labour Inspectorate to find out what methods they use.

Managing Stress at Work: the underlying problem? submitted by Rowan Merewood — last modified 2006-02-21 15:53

The prime difficulty in reducing stress by regulatory means is that stress does not fit into the pattern of risk management which underlies most recent health and safety legislation. There is no simple means of assessing risk to a working population which does not also take account of the individual characteristics of the workers in that population. I don't see much prospect of the concept of risk being adapted to this problem. Stress is an ergonomic problem; i.e. concerned with the fit between individuals and their environment. It has the added complexity that as a cultural phenomenon what may be hazardous in the working environment at one time or to one workforce need not be hazardous at other times or to other workforces.

Sick notes and stress submitted by Rowan Merewood — last modified 2006-02-21 15:53

The sick note provided by GPs (the Med 3) is a small piece of paper but it’s role in managing stress at work should not be underestimated. The GP (or sometimes a hospital doctor) fills in a space marked : ‘Diagnosis of your disorder causing absence from work.’ In cases of work-related stress the diagnosis is often vague; nervous debility, or vital exhaustion, or non-specific; anxiety or depression.

Work Life Balance submitted by Rowan Merewood — last modified 2006-02-21 15:53

The legislation concerning work-life balance as well as a straight-forward guide for helping achieve it.

Workload submitted by Rowan Merewood — last modified 2006-02-21 15:53

Work overload is the main cause of stress at work across Britain and that stress is the main health and safety concern in Britain’s workplaces, according to the Trade Union Congress.