Stress is a common fact of life for many people today. We live in a world where increasing demands are made upon individuals to cope with constantly changing circumstances. Ability to cope with these changes can leave individuals vulnerable to stress, especially where other predisposing factors mitigate against their ability to deal effectively with stressful situations.

• Stress can be detrimental to the physical and psychological well-being of an individual.
• It results in reduced productivity, increased labour turnover, poor interpersonal relationships and work-related accidents.
• In the United Kingdom, it has been suggested that for every day lost to an industrial dispute, 30 working days are lost due to depression and anxiety.
• Health and Safety legislation obliges the employter to protect the health and safety of their employees. This includes mental as well as physical health. Claims against employers attributable to occupational stress are becoming and increasing occurance

Recognising the deleterious effects stress has on both the individual and the organisation it may be of benefit to offer all members of staff a workshop on stress management.

WORKSHOP ON STRESS MANAGEMENT

This workshop can be given on a half-day or all day basis as required.

• Definitions of stress and occupational stress
• Effects of stress on the individual and in the workplace
• Signs and symptoms of stress
• Evaluating own stress levels, Stress Rating Questionnaire

• Lifestyle - how this can affect your stress level and means of making change
• Cognition - how thought patterns can affect stress and how to challenge negative thinking styles
• Adopting a ‘do-it-now’ strategy
• Strategies for adapting to change in the workplace

• Recognise the ongoing nature of stress
• Learn to say ‘No’ and mean it!
• Conflict avoidance and management

In conjunction with the workshop employees may attend the surgery on an individual basis for assistance. This can be done on a confidential basis along the lines of an occupational employee assist programme.

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