What is workplace stress?

Effects on Employees
Workplace stress derives specifically from conditions in the workplace. These conditions may either cause stress initially or aggravate the stress already present from other sources. Recent studies of employee stress have concluded that job-induced stress can occur at all employee levels of an organisation. In addition balance between work and family poses an ever increasing challenge as we are faced with the barrage of modern communication; telephone, internet, email, mobile phones. The immediacy and volume of information from a wide range of sources can easily upset the balance and have an impact on all areas of our lives.

How we can help - We can provide support for problems occurring in the work place or for non work related problem that are affecting you at work. Normally we can provide immediate assistance either face to face or on the phone if it's difficult to come to us.

Effects on employers
Stress can have a major effect on work performance. Some of the consequences of workplace stress include absenteeism, diminished performance, negative attitude and cynicism, decline in commitment and creativity, and a decreased ability to concentrate, learn and interact with other employees. Stressed workers can also develop a range of symptoms including insomnia, headaches, back pain, gastrointestinal disorders, fatigue, anxiety, irritability and depression.

How we can help - We can provide support for individual employees who are experiencing problems, or a help for a section of employees who may have had a critical incident occur in the workplace. Individuals can come to us for an appointment or we can support them on the phone on a daily or weekly basis. Where there is a group requiring assistance we can come into the workplace.

We also run workshops on topics such as 'Communication in the Workplace' , 'Balancing Work and Home', 'Conflict Resolution' etc.

What leads to workplace stress?
Particular workplace factors that can lead to stress include:

• work overload
• increased workload
• lack of control over workload
• coping with organisational change, such as restructuring or management 'downsizing'
• interpersonal conflict
• poor management practices
• long working hours
• redeployment or relocation
• job insecurity or redundancy
• shiftwork and arising fatigue
• lack of communication or consultation
• bullying, aggression or harassment and trauma
• work-home imbalance

Critical Incident - we can provide short and long term assistance
All workplaces are susceptible to a traumatic incident occurring. These incidents can threaten the wellbeing of individuals, whole groups of employees, or even the entire workplace. Major accidents or violence can seriously impact the immediate operation of an organisation and potentially its long term viability.

Many organisations have disaster recovery plans but frequently these neglect the human element. They assume that employees, despite the distress caused by a critical event, will be able to fulfill their designated roles. The fact is that employees are often so debilitated by their involvement in the incident that they simply cannot perform their duties. In such circumstances, employees need clinical assistance and support - quickly!

How will it work?

Relationships
We will work in a collaborative way with stakeholders to initiate and maintain good working relationships

Confidential
We give you our guarantee of confidentiality and protection of your person information

Community
We will liaise with existing community support services to ensure a holistic approach is available

Employer
We will work with your organisation to find optimum solutions to key challenges

Assessment
We will undertake both initial and ongoing assessments of individual clients

Individual
We will provide personal counselling to individuals (and families) as required

Evaluation
We will undertake both internal and external evaluation to measure outcomes

Personal Service
One or more of our senior clinical staff will meet with you in person to discuss the implementation of our proposal and how we can meet your specific requirements. Once we have established the basis of our working relationship we are ready to begin working with the group/and or individuals. At that point we can present a group information session and answer questions if that is appropriate, this works well as a getting to know you session. We will then meet individuals on a one to one basis and complete initial assessments.

Personal counselling will be provided either face to face or by telephone and will be available for as long as needed. This means that we are accessible to our clients even when they are working away. The telephone service also means our clients can get help from the privacy and comfort of their home or private office if appropriate. Many individuals find it easier to discuss personal issues this way as they feel less inhibited than they would be in a face to face situation.

We are also able to provide support emails where there is a situation that requires more intensive support and monitoring.