Provided by University of Nottingham (news : web)

The downturn may be leading many employers to see a decrease in absence levels, however, as staff force themselves to come into work even if they are ill, for fear of being seen to be doing less than their colleagues. You end up with a culture of presenteeism but productivity is greatly reduced. Presenteeism can also be a predictor of longer periods of absence down the line as prolonged exposure to stress takes hold.

“Nearly half (48%) of the adult workers surveyed by Croner are more or much more stressed than 12 months ago.

The survey of over 1,200 adult workers carried out by YouGov reveals that higher unpaid workloads (57%) and performance pressures (45%) are being held to blame for this big rise in stress levels amongst those who are more stressed in their work than 12 months ago. The need to work longer hours (34%) and the imposition of pay freezes (33%) are also significant factors revealed in the research by Croner, the UK expert in workplace information, software and services, part of Wolters Kluwer.

Amy Paxton, a senior employment consultant at Croner says: “The fact that 48% of the workers we surveyed say they are more stressed as a result of work, than a year ago should be a real wake-up call for employers. At a time when many industries are under such pressure to keep their heads above water, or even survive, employers cannot afford to have such high levels of stress and the associated difficulties it can cause in their organisations.

From the answers we received in the survey it’s clear that work related stress is on the increase among the UK workforce. Perhaps this is not too surprising but it’s really important then that employers are absolutely clear about the effect the performance of their organisation is having on their workforce.

“Lack of communication or lack of transparency often creates an absence of trust and can undermine the relationship between managers and employees. This sets the scene for employee insecurity and dissatisfaction, too often resulting in higher stress levels.”

Stress clearly affects people in different ways: the Croner survey asked respondents how they cope with it. Eating and drinking more alcohol and becoming less friendly towards family, friends and colleagues are all cited as ways of overcoming their worries.

Amy Paxton says: “There is a legal requirement for all employers to provide a safe and healthy working environment for staff. It is important to identify the sources of stress and if possible solutions should be aimed at eliminating or at least reducing the impact of these sources. In most situations, it is not always possible to identify the causes, in which case some general principles might be useful.

“Stress can be reduced by improving working conditions, restructuring jobs and allowing more flexible working arrangements. A supportive work ethos and a climate in which staff are encouraged to openly discuss their concerns can also help.

“Moreover There is evidence to suggest that a range of stress management programmes can have a beneficial impact on employees, even those who have not shown any symptoms.”

17 May 11
UK businesses could stand to save £8 billion annually if they were to focus on handling the problems caused by workplace stress.

That is according to Mind, the mental health charity.

Following on from a study by the charity, it was estimated that firms lose up to £26 billion a year in absence and missed productivity but that some £8 billion could be recouped if more attention was paid by employers to the stresses and strains that employees find themselves under.

The Mind report claimed that four out of ten workers (41 per cent) experience stress at work, making their jobs more of a source of concern to them than personal finances, personal relationships and their health.

Almost a half expressed worries about taking time off sick for stress-related complaints (48 per cent), while one in five believed that a mention of the pressures they were under could lead them to losing their jobs.

To make matters worse, the effects of the economic downturn has fuelled the worries and unease of many workers, with a third reporting additional pressures exerted by a reduction in workplace budgets.

Apart from having to deal with budget cuts and fears of redundancy, other areas in which stress levels have increased include excessive workloads, unrealistic sales targets, and overstretched management.

Mind described the prevalence of stress in the workplace as an “elephant in the room”.

The charity urged employers to take a series of steps designed to reduce its impact. These include encouraging open and supportive work environments, treating mental health issues with the same importance as physical health problems, making the support of staff wellbeing a corporate priority, and introducing workplace mental health policies.

Paul Farmer, Mind’s chief executive, commented: “Pressure and stress may be part of our working lives, but failing to recognise that everyone has a limit is a mistake that costs businesses billions of pounds a year. Stigma is so great employees worry that even mentioning stress will lose them their jobs.

“Right now, workers are under more pressure than ever before as staff numbers decrease, work increases, and people worry if they’ll even have a job to go to tomorrow. Rather than shying away from the issue, it’s more important than ever that businesses invest in staff wellbeing and encourage an open culture, where staff can come forward about the pressures they are feeling and be supported.

“Making a workplace more mentally healthy doesn’t need to cost the earth. Simple, practical changes can have big results such as making sure your staff take proper breaks or giving them the chance to talk about work pressures. Some businesses are already seeing this approach pay off, reducing sickness absence, cutting costs and being rewarded with a productive and committed workforce.”

Cadenza Stress Management is now working with www.cliveharvey.net to provide stress busting ukulele workshops for companies. As Clive says:

“It’s small, light and portable. It’s cheap. It’s easy to play. It brings a smile to the faces of player and listeners alike.”

Bill Gates and Warren Buffet have both taken up the ukulele for pleasure and relaxation. Heavyweight endorsements indeed!”

Clive is an experienced ukulele performer and teacher, who runs workshops all over the country. He can even supply the ukes!

A former prison officer has been awarded a six-figure sum in damages for stress he suffered after listening to sex offenders’ accounts of their crimes.

Steven Heaven’s ‘disturbing’ work involved him hearing criminals describe their sex crimes during therapy sessions.

Despite having no experience as a clinician and no qualifications as a therapist, his job required him to listen to the prisoners’ descriptions of their crimes, which were often expressed ‘in detailed and graphic terms’.

He said the harrowing sessions at Grendon prison in Buckinghamshire caused him so much distress that he signed off work after he was diagnosed.

But the prison refused to believe the 44-year-old ex prison officer’s illness was a consequence of his work and suspended his pay.

His case was eventually settled today after a three-year legal battle, with Mr Heaven receiving substantial damages from the Prison Service.

A 2 year study by Engelbert Kotter found that people working in an office without plants were more likely to have more negative perceptions of their well being than those who worked in an office full of palnts.

The participants of the study claimed that “environments with the office plants felt much fresher and more relaxed than when the office plants were removed.” The participants also indicated that they felt much less stressed when the office plants were present and that they felt ‘more human’ when surrounded by plants.

The study also found that after three months, eight out of 10 workers said they felt healthier, with a 25% drop in office sniffles and sore throats. The same study concluded that keeping indoor plants can also reduce tiredness and improve concentration.

So can office plants ever really help to reduce stress? The simple answer to this question is yes, providing you make proper use of planted office displays and other advice relating to improving stress levels whilst at work.