National Stress Awareness Day - 4th November 2009

Many businesses have faced an increased prevalence of stress in their workforce as a consequence of implementing structural changes to guide their business through the economic downturn.  The case of French Télécom, where 23 staff have committed suicide over the past year following structural change, perhaps illustrates the grave effects workplace stress can have on employees. More commonly stress can lead to low staff morale, inefficiency and sickness absence.

National Stress Awareness Day on 4th November 2009 has been publicised with the tag line “Stressing the Positives” and provides business with an opportunity to re-engage with employees, get feedback on how they are responding to any changes and their experiences of workplace stress.

Stress is subjective and specific to individuals.  However, the HSE stress management standards characterise 6 management behaviours which have been identified as significantly contributing to workplace stress and sets out advice as to how organisations can effectively manage these behaviours.

The Standards provide a useful guide as to how businesses can evaluate and benchmark their performance. Businesses can use them as a base to tailor their approach to tackling workplace stress and improving the wellbeing of their staff through their own business specific approach. However, employee engagement throughout the process is key.