The HSE defines stress as
'The adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them’. Work related stress now accounts for over a third of all new incidences of ill health. Each case of work related stress, depression or anxiety related ill health leads to an average of 30.6 working days lost.
What services can WorkFit provide to support us in stress management?
In 2003, the HSE commissioned the Institute for Employment Studies to carry out some research entitled "Best practice in rehabilitating employees following absence due to work related stress".
WorkFit can support your company in the development and introduction of any of these areas of best practice:
- Having a written policy and guidelines
- Early contact with the employee and early health assessment
- Development of an agreed rehabilitation plan and flexibility of plan
- Overseeing the rehabilitation process
- Stress and rehabilitation awareness in line managers
- Monitoring sickness absence trends and patterns.
Policy Development
If you do not have a stress policy, we are able to support you in its development, introduction and associated risk assessments. We can provide ongoing support within your audit process. It is always best to work within a policy that has full commitment from the company’s senior management, thus reducing fear and uncertainty in the workforce.
Stress Management Training
Effective stress management and rehabilitation depends heavily on managers being able to recognise problems in their staff and take action accordingly. WorkFit can support you on the development and delivery of stress management training programmes for your line managers. We can also offer stress awareness programmes and health promotion activities for your employees to provide them with essential tips and guidance on looking after their own health and wellbeing.
What are the benefits of referring an employee to WorkFit?
A GP certificate stating ‘stress’ provides little or no information on the cause of the problem or how best to support the individual. A referral to WorkFit will generate a report, with the individual’s agreement, giving recommendations as to their current fitness to undertake their normal job role, any suggested adjustments and rehabilitation plan and review date. This will enable the manager to respond appropriately and supportively to the employee.
