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Doctors
in the UK are reporting a dramatic rise in stress
and depression, resulting in a record number of
people being signed off work, some for up to weeks
on end. And the UK is just an example of a trend
that is repeated across the developed world.
Victoria Fletcher, Health Editor of the Daily Mirror
revealed that a survey of over 250 doctors found
that stress is the most likely cause of ill health.
Whilst
76% of companies agree, doctors are blaming the
increase on employers for not taking the well-being
of their employees seriously. That's because
employee health and well-being is only fourth on the
list of priorities of most companies. It's behind
attracting staff, keeping them motivated and
complying with legislation. There seems to be a fine
line between keeping an employee motivated and
applying just too much pressure. This delicate
balance was acknowledged by Bill Callaghan, Chair of
the Health and Safety Commission, when he said,
"Pressure is part and parcel of all work and helps
to keep us motivated. But excessive pressure can
lead to stress which undermines performance, is
costly to employers and can make people ill."
When this
'motivation/pressure' threshold has been reached the
employee shows symptoms of stress. This causes
performance levels to decrease and, as a result,
more pressure is applied. It can then become a
vicious circle, spiralling down until something
gives. And give it does. One in three doctors has
noticed a rise in people asking to be signed off for
more than seven days because of stress-related
problems. The CBI revealed that the average public
sector worker takes 8.5 days off sick every year at
a cost of £13 billion a year. That's a staggering
£531 per employee and it's the employer that's
picking up the tab. The problem is that the survey
revealed that 85% of employers believe that "busy
GP's are too ready to sign off patients as sick" and
that "doctors sign off people far too quickly".
At a cost
of £531 per employee per year, it's not surprising
that many companies are investing in their own
solutions. Although expensive, some now have
therapists on their payroll, whose purpose is to
reduce stress and lower absenteeism. Many have opted
to provide employees with stress reduction CD's.
Just Google stress, reduction, online, therapy,
self-help and you'll find sites like virtual-therapist.com
offering stress reducing mp3 downloads that
employees can listen whenever they feel the need.
There is also a new approach to help employers work
with their employees to manage the risks from
work-related stress, available from the Health and
Safety Executive. This self-help approach to improve
employees' health has received approval from the
highest levels of government. Jane Kennedy, Minister
for Work, said, "This is a very practical example of
what can be done to demonstrate how easy it can be
to reduce the causes of work related stress."
Getting
the motivation/pressure balance right has a profound
effect on the profitability of the business. Apart
from promoting staff health and well-being, as an
employer, it makes sound financial sense to provide
your employees some form of help to redress the
balance. And as an employee, isn't it time to regain
control of your working environment and reduce
stress levels so that you can be motivated and enjoy
work again?
Jim
Brackin contributes tips, help and advice on
popular psychology to a variety of magazines like
Cosmopolitan, Real, Spirit and Destiny and Women's
Own. He developed Personaliteye, a
visually-based personality profile test that
provides free reports on relationships, work,
friends and lifestyle.
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