1. Sources of Stress: Work Around 500,000 UK workers believe work stress is making them ill Around 500,000 UK workers believe work stress is making them ill 5,000,000 million UK workers feel ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ stressed by their job 5,000,000 million UK workers feel ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ stressed by their job Approximately 12,800,000 working days were lost in the UK last year due to stress, anxiety and depression Approximately 12,800,000 working days were lost in the UK last year due to stress, anxiety and depression Source: HSE

2. Sources of Work Stress Demands Demands Having more to do than you can manage, or so little you get bored. Having more to do than you can manage, or so little you get bored. Control Control Having no control over your work rate or content; not being able to set your own priorities Having no control over your work rate or content; not being able to set your own priorities Role Role Having to fulfill incompatible roles during work or having a work role that clashes with other roles e.g. family Having to fulfill incompatible roles during work or having a work role that clashes with other roles e.g. family

3. Control at Work Marmot et al (1997) Marmot et al (1997) Longitudinal study of 7300 civil servants Longitudinal study of 7300 civil servants Five year study assessing job control (work grade) and CHD symptoms (self report) Five year study assessing job control (work grade) and CHD symptoms (self report) Lower grade (less control) associated with higher risk of CHD symptoms (1.5 to 2.3x inflated risk) Lower grade (less control) associated with higher risk of CHD symptoms (1.5 to 2.3x inflated risk) NB: correlational data; restricted sample NB: correlational data; restricted sample

4. Control at Work Johanssen et al (1978) Johanssen et al (1978) Compared two groups of workers: Compared two groups of workers: Finishers: machine-paced, repetitive Finishers: machine-paced, repetitive Cleaners: self-paced, varied Cleaners: self-paced, varied Finishers secreted higher levels of stress hormones, had higher levels of illness and absenteeism Finishers secreted higher levels of stress hormones, had higher levels of illness and absenteeism Van der Doef & Maes (1998) Van der Doef & Maes (1998) High demands + low control leads to greatest risk of heart disease High demands + low control leads to greatest risk of heart disease

5. Work Stress Work stress seems to be related to ill- health Work stress seems to be related to ill- health However, many studies have not considered: However, many studies have not considered: Specific aspects of jobs that make them stressful Specific aspects of jobs that make them stressful Individual differences in stress responses Individual differences in stress responses www.psychlotron.org.uk

6. Work Stress – HSE Case Studies Read the HSE case study leaflets. Write a brief summary of each explaining: Read the HSE case study leaflets. Write a brief summary of each explaining: What was the problem? What was the problem? How did this affect the workers? How did this affect the workers? What changes were made? What changes were made? How well did these changes work? How well did these changes work?