STRESS AND WELLBEING AT WORK

What is stress?  The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has estimated that stress- related work accidents and ill health costs the country £7 billion a year and 13.8 million working days.

What is stress? (con’t)  The HSE defines stress at work as arising “when the demands of the job and the working environment on a person exceeds their capacity to meet them” and “the reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demands placed on them.”

Effects of Stress  increased absenteeism (of which stress is the biggest cause)  low motivation  reduced productivity  reduced efficiency  faulty decision-making  poor industrial relations

What is Well-Being Management?  Taking a holistic approach to employees’ health and well-being to create business performance and happiness in the workplace  It is about prevention rather than cure

“Healthy Weight; Healthy lives – a Cross- Government Strategy for England” This supports the creation of a healthy society - from early years, to schools and food, from sport and physical activity to planning, transport and the health service  promoting health and healthy food  building physical activity into our lives  supporting health at work  providing the incentives more widely to promote health  providing effective treatment and support when people become overweight or obese

The paper states the following: NOW:  Almost 2/3 of adults and 1/3 of children are either overweight or obese and without clear action, by 2050  Almost 9 in 10 adults and 2/3 of children will be either overweight or obese

Impact on individual’s health  Diabetes  Cancer  Heart disease  Liver disease The more overweight people become, the higher the risks are!

Stress at work Stress prevention and control is an essential part of the effective management of people at work

To help alleviate stress and promote well- being in the workplace  Giving stress management training  Establishing a clear policy on mental health, stress, anti-bullying and harassment  Training  Regular appraisals  Monitoring  Flexibility  Awareness  Minimising excessive pressure

Promoting Well-being  A work/life balance policy;  Publicising healthy living advice;  Extra investment in sports and social club; and  Giving greater priority to career development Broadland District Council: To make people happy and healthy in their workplace and establish a culture of good attendance

In the 5 years since the scheme was introduced:  Sickness rates have fallen  Levels of staff satisfaction have increased  Over 90% of employees say they are satisfied with the council

Promoting well-being at work is an ongoing commitment

More of these from employers:  Active travel policies for staff and visitors.  A supportive physical environment  Recreational activities  try to provide opportunities for staff to eat healthy foods in canteen/restaurants, hospitality and vending machines

A working example: Portsmouth City Council “Designed for Portsmouth businesses both large and small, WHWH has been developed by Portsmouth City Council and Portsmouth Teaching Primary Care Trust working in partnership.

The Work & Wellbeing Hallmark  recognising the contribution of the business world to making life a positive and rewarding experience for employees  providing a framework for a pragmatic approach to the health and well-being of staff  providing businesses in the Portsmouth area with the tools to encourage and promote healthier workplaces

PCC has also developed a fitness zone:  Chinese style kickboxing  Cycling after work  Early bird walk along the seafront  Lunchtime walk  High and low impact aerobics  Pilates and  Yoga Smoking cessation advice and support are also offered for any employee wishing to quit smoking £ £3.50 a session.

Summary  Health and well-being will be big news for 2009  NOT a short-term goal  A long-term journey towards making employees healthier, feeling valued and motivated in the workplace