A Guide to Employee Stress Recognition

 

Introduction

The aim of this guide is to provide information to all members of staff about stress, its common causes and effects and to identify actions that can be taken to lessen the harmful effects of prolonged stress.  Stress can be caused by internal or external factors to the workplace and this guide aims to provide members of staff with information on how to reduce stress and where to seek help.  This guide should be read in conjunction with the Occupational Stress Policy.

A measure of pressure can be beneficial especially when it helps to motivate and stimulate an individual, however it can become a problem if the stressors become more than a person can comfortably tolerate, thereby causing distress.  The result of this is often ill health and a decrease in self-confidence, work efficiency and performance.  Therefore, the early recognition of an individual’s distress, with effective remedial action, can benefit not only the individual concerned but also the workplace. 

What is Stress?

The University adopts the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) definition of stress:

 “The adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demands placed upon them”

Stress is normally experienced when a person believes that demand/pressure is exceeding their capacity to cope.  Essentially, this reaction is experienced when a person finds it difficult to handle the pressures placed upon him/her.  A stress reaction is an individual response and what may constitute stress for one individual may not be stressful for another; similarly the type and severity of stress response varies from one individual to another.

Causes of Stress

There are varying sources of stress such as family concerns, personal relationships, workplace relationships, work you are unable to complete or are ill equipped/trained to do, financial worries, personal and family ill health, workload and ability to cope with it, etc.  Even positive events can be stressful, e.g. holidays, weddings and moving house.

The HSE define 6 key categories which are the main causes of stress within the workplace and have developed a set of  ‘Management Standards:’  to assist with the management and reduction of stress.  Full description of the ‘Management Standards can be see in Appendix 1.

The following provides some examples of typical stressors at work;  

Demand:

  • Work overload.
  • Boring/Repetitive duties.
  • Inadequate resources.
  • Physical environment i.e. lighting, space, temperature, disruptions etc.
  • Psychological working environment: Verbal abuse, inappropriate behaviours.
  • Working long hours – not taking lunch breaks/annual leave.
  • People management issues.
  • Inadequate allocation of work.

Control:

  • Not being able to manage the demands of the job and life outside work.
  • Rigid working patterns and deadlines imposed with no autonomy or control allowed.
  • Conflicting work demands – from different managers or aspects of the job.
  • Two way conversation and discussion not actively encouraged to discuss issues.

Role:

  • Lack of clarity of job role – no job descriptions/objective setting.
  • Employees unaware of polices and procedures in place to support them and to be used.
  • Lack of one-one communication/meetings/feedback.

Support:

  • Lack of support and encouragement from managers and colleagues.
  • Lack of development/career progression opportunities.
  • Lack of information sharing/withholding information.
  • A working culture of encouraging long or unsociable hours i.e. seeing colleagues as weak if the don’t consistently work long hours

Relationships:

  • Poor working relationships with managers/teams
  • Combative or confrontational communication styles
  • Poor communication and information sharing
  • Not dealing with complaints/disputes at an early stage

Change:

  • Poor communication – uncertainty about what is happening
  • Fears about job security
  • Ineffective time planning of change
  • Insufficient training or knowledge transfer on new systems/processes
  • No consultation/engagement.

It should be noted on occasions there will be variations and increased demands on individual workloads and changes in working relationships, management style and the ability to consult or communicate from time to time, to ensure operational need is meet, which is acceptable management practice.  However, if there is a continued and regular pattern of consistent stressors in the workplace, that is when action should be taken to discuss and explore the issues with your line manger, HR or Occupational Health.

Recognising Stress in yourself and others

Stress can present itself through a wide range of physical, behavioural and/or psychological symptoms.  Common symptoms include:-

Physical - Headaches, sleep disturbances, nausea, tearfulness, muscular aches and pains, susceptibility to infections with an increase in cold/flu type illnesses etc. When stress is experienced over long periods the acute stress reaction may evolve into a chronic condition with the associated concerns of persistent high blood pressure, development of digestive disorders,e.g. stomach ulcers; there is also an increased risk of strokes, and heart attacks.

Behavioural - Poor concentration, memory loss, irritability, substance abuse (i.e. increase in intake of alcohol, coffee, tobacco), lateness, an increase in absenteeism, reduced work performance, more accidents at work and at home, an inability to achieve a good performance at work despite good intentions and plans, withdrawal from usual social contacts.

Psychological - Depression, misplaced anxiety, apathy, lack of motivation, poor concentration and memory, low self esteem, fear of failure, uncharacteristic behaviour.

Stress reduction/management 

People may experience such symptoms from time to time for other reasons than stress related matters, whether work related or personnel. However, if you find yourself experiencing a number of these conditions over a period of time, the following solutions may help:

Identify personal stressors:

If you can, work out what in particular stresses you to identify the cause of your state of stress and then explore some practical ways to minimise the cause.  There may be some issues you cannot change immediately, but you can put in place coping strategies or there may be others stressors you can immediately alter or avoid.

Look after yourself:             

  • Take up exercise, you may find learning a relaxation exercise or attending a yoga class beneficial.  Alternatively, you may find that vigorous physical exercise such as swimming or walking has a greater effect on you.
  • Plan to eat an enjoyable nutritious diet, take a proper meal break and sit down and spend time over your food.
  • Ensure you get enough sleep, plan a couple of early nights per week.  Find ways of relaxing and “switching off,” often getting involved with a hobby/interest that demands intense focus and concentration is beneficial.
  • Plan your time and try to keep to schedule.
  • When feeling rushed you should deliberately slow down and take more time over every action than you need (or more than your stressed state is making you take).
  • Tackle one thing at a time.
  • Make a list of priorities and stick to it.  Do the easiest first – you get a feeling of achievement as you proceed through the list.

Communicate with your manager:

If you have concerns about any aspects of your role relating to the 6 mentioned categories discuss your concerns with you managers and offer considered solutions/recommendations.  Suggest innovative ways of working to reduce stressors for consideration.  Early communication and intervention is key in reducing stressors.

Where to get help/support 

Internally

Manager – where stress is work related, it may be beneficial to discuss your concerns with your manager in the first instance to see what solutions may be available.

Occupational Health Unit – you can self-refer to the University’s Occupational Health Unit, on a confidential basis, to discuss your concerns, where you will be offered help and advice on a short or long term basis in identifying personal stressors and in identifying assistance to help deal with these stressors.

Human Resources – will, on a confidential basis, discuss with you, and advise on how to deal with issues causing stress.

Staff Development – provides a variety of courses which you may find very useful, e.g. stress recognition, relaxation techniques, vocal projections for those of you who have to undertake public speaking, time management, event management, conflict resolution, mind mapping, how to improve your memory.

Sports Centre – various activities are available to help alleviate tension and reduce stress.  A personal “one to one” fitness assessment can be undertaken and assistance given to find the fitness programme that is tailor-made to suit you.

Trades Union – general support and advice. Information on the Trades Unions can be obtained on the Workplace wellbeing page or by contacting Human Resources.

Harassment Network – the network can be contacted if stress is a result of some form of harassment.  There are named individuals, accessible via the Human Resources web page, or contact the harassment line on ext 3002.

Externally

General Practitioner – your own GP is a good source of advice and can often recommend remedies to assist or may refer you to a local support group/class.

Friends and family - are a good source of support; try not to deal with your problems alone.  Often openly expressing problems can in itself be beneficial. 

NHS Helpline  -  provides information about what is available in your area call : 0800 22 44 88

NHS Scotland  -  Scottish Health Information Site. Telephone 0131 536 5500.

HSE -  Health and safety executive website offer solutions to individuals on how to manage stress.

Breathing Space -  This website offers self help advice  and provided information on where to get support and how to deal with difficult times.

Helpline: 0800 838587

University contact numbers

Occupational Health Unit:

Janey Watt, Occupational Health Adviser, ext 2752, e-mail jw235

Human Resources

Contact Extension: 3096  or e-mail: hr.general@st-andrews.ac.uk

Sports Centre

Reception –  ext 2190

Human Resources Web Page

Human resources policies, guidance and forms

Stress policy

Human Resources

November 2015