Workplace tension: Help or hinderance?
Doctors in the UK are reporting a dramatic rise in worry and depression, which means a record number of the workforce being signed off sick, some for up to weeks on end. And the UK is one example of a trend that is repeated across Europe and the developed world. Victoria Fletcher, Health Editor of the Daily Mirror revealed that a survey of over 250 health professionals found that stress is the most likely cause of ill health.
Whilst 76% of employers agree, health professionals are blaming the increase on busnisses for not taking the mental health of their workforce seriously. That’s because employee health and well being is only fourth on the list of priorities of most employers. Laging behind attracting staff, keeping them motivated and complying with legislation. There seems to be a fine line between keeping an workforce motivated and applying just too much pressure. This fine line was acknowledged by Bill Callaghan, Chair of the Health and Safety Commission, when he said, “Pressure is part and parcel of all work and helps to keep us motivated. But excessive pressure can lead to stress which undermines performance, is costly to employers and can make people ill.”
When this ‘motivation/pressure’ threshold has been reached staff begin to show symptoms of tension. This causes performance levels to decrease and as a result more pressure is applied. It can then become a vicious circle, spiralling down until something gives. And give it does. One in three doctors has noticed a rise in people asking to be signed off for more than seven days because of tension related problems. The CBI disclosed that the average public sector worker takes 8.5 days off sick every year ay a cost of ?13 billion a year. That’s an amazing ?531 per employee and it’s the employer that’s picking up the tab. The headache is that the survey revealed that 85% of employers believe that “busy GP’s are too ready to sign off patients as sick” and that “doctors sign off people far too quickly”.
To combat the cost of ?531 per person year it’s not surprising the many employers are investing in their own solutions. Although expensive, some now have therapists on the staff, whose purpose is to reduce worry and reduce absenteeism. Many have opted to provide employees with anxiety reduction CD’s. Just Google anxiety, talking cure, talking treatment or online talking therapy and your find sites like talkingcures.org offering stress reducing mp3 downloads that employees can listen to should they they feel the onset of stress. There is also a new approach to help employers work with their employees to reduce the risks from work-related tension, available from the Health and Safety Executive. This self-help approach to improve employee’s health has approval from the top level of government, Jane Kennedy, Minister for Work, said, “This is a very practical illustration of what can be done to demonstrate how simple it can be to reduce the causes of work related anxiety.”
Finding the right balance for motivation/pressure has a profound effect on the profitability of the business. Apart from promoting staff health and well-being, as an business it makes sound financial sense to give your employees some form of help to redress the balance. And as a staff member, isn’t it time to regain control of your working environment and reduce stress levels so that you can be motivated and enjoy work again?
Jim Brackin provides tips, help and advice on how to overcome anxiety to variety of magazines like Cosmopolitan, Real, Spirit and Destiny and Women’s Own. As a body language expert for Sky News (UK) he contributes to jimbrackin.com online therapy practice that provides free help and advice on online therapy.
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