March 18, 2011
A recent survey has found that employee stress is still a major concern for employers.
Their concern is justified as employers can be held liable for any resulting psychiatric or physical injury if they failed to take precautions against a foreseeable danger. Also, according to the Stress Management Society, ‘over 105 million days are lost to stress each year, costing UK employers £1.24 billion’.
However, there are steps that employers can take to minimise the occurrence and effects of stress in the workplace. For example, employers should:
- Make sure that staff and managers have adequate and on-going training, for example in time management, skills training and inter-personal skills, so that they are able to cope with their work and the duties required of them.
- Conduct company stress audits and risk assessments covering issues such as the level of control employees have over their work and the support they have from managers and colleagues and the systems that are in place to deal with any concerns.
- Have an open communication policy with all staff and managers so that problems are not left
- Offer coaching and counseling for staff, for example through mentoring schemes.
An employment law solicitor can provide further advice in relation to workplace stress and sickness issues.
