Employee Stress - Recognizing and Managing

Who Will Benefit

Human resources personnel and line managers who have responsibility for ensuring employees are not subjected to unreasonable levels of stress in the workplace.

Objectives

Recognise the problem. Understand the causes of stress and the problems that result from stress. Determine legal and human ramifications. Develop effective strategies.

Course Outline

• What is Stress? Recognizing the signs; symptoms of stress; the source of stress; how stress is perceived; raising awareness.

• The Causes of Stress: style of living; job content; workload; working environment; work schedules; change; fear of the future; bullying and threats; harassment; company culture; management style.

• Working Relationships: overcoming the barriers; questioning techniques; managing information; making choices; active listening; learning to limit your personal contribution; gaining support from others; managing potential conflict.

• Reactions to Stress: the effects on logical thinking and emotions; physical effects; work rate and output; absenteeism; the effects on actions; negative relationships.

• Health and Safety: general measures; regulations; codes of practice; risk assessment.

• Legal Implications: civil and criminal liabilities; negligence.

• The Manager’s Role in Stress Management: identifying sources of stress and taking action; spotting employees displaying signs of stress; taking appropriate action; employee appraisal; employee consultation; workloads; monitoring sickness absence.

• The Stress Representative: the concept; advantages and disadvantages; role and responsibility; nominating and supporting the role of the stress representative.

• Stress Forum: participants raise specific issues from the programme with the trainer providing appropriate advice and guidance.

• Action Plan: participants plan and discuss what they will do on return to work.