STRESS BUSTER TOOLKIT

Based on research conducted in recent years, the Health and Safety Executive has identified six main potential sources of stress in the workplace:-

Demands – includes issues like workload, work patterns and the work environment

Control – how much say the person has in the way they do their work

Support – includes the encouragement, sponsorship and resources provided by the organisation, line management and colleagues

Relationships – includes promoting positive working to avoid conflict and dealing with unacceptable behaviour

Role – whether people understand their role within the organisation and whether the organisation ensures that the person does not have conflicting roles

Change – how organisational change (large or small) is managed and communicated in the organisation

If you are experiencing problems at work, including feeling under excessive pressure, you should discuss your concerns with your line manager or other appropriate person. The purpose of raising concerns with your manager is to look for ways forward to resolve issues.

If your problems are not related to work it may be that your manager can still help.  You should ask for a confidential meeting.

The Employee Welfare Service is also available to offer confidential support and advice on any issues including stress-related problems.

For more information and advice on strategies to tackle work-related stress click on to the following:

Stress Resource Centre  

Health and Safety Executive website : http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/index.htm