Stress Management Policy

INTRODUCTION

Stress is the reaction some people have to excessive pressures imposed upon them. As a result, stress occurs when people worry that they 'can't cope'. Stress, therefore, may be seen as the impairment of physical and behavioural performance from real or perceived challenges.

It is our policy to:

• Take stress seriously and to sympathetically help those employees who admit to feeling over stretched.
• Train managers and supervisors to recognise the signs of stress.
• Encourage supervisors and managers to watch for signs of stress and to listen to employees' views regarding the pressures of their work.
• Ensure adequate training is provided in order that employees can carry out their tasks confidently.
• Provide, where practicable, scope for varying work patterns and to allow employee input in how the work is carried out.
• Ensure that people are treated fairly and consistently.
• Take accusations and cases of bullying and harassment seriously and investigate all such accusations and incidents.
• Encourage good two-way communication.
• Prioritise tasks and, where possible, give warning of urgent tasks.
• Seek professional outside help if it is suspected that stress may be a problem in the workplace.