WITH stress still the number one reason for sickness in the workplace, November month saw the annual return of National Stress Awareness Day. The event, organised by the International Stress Management Association, focused on "Managing Stress in the 24 Hour Society."

With more than 360 million working days lost each year through stress, it is important employers recognise how serious the illness can be, and understand how best to manage stress in the workplace. If the vital signs are ignored, it can lead to frequent absenteeism and poor productivity.

Ms Fiona Desmond, manager at the St Albans office of Martin Ward Anderson, a leading financial recruitment consultancy, gives her professional opinion on the importance of understanding stress.

"It is the responsibility of employers to provide a safe working environment. They need to take all necessary steps to ensure employees are not put under any unnecessary stress or strain caused by the volume or type of work they are expected to undertake.

She added: "For various reasons, people are now working more hours than they used to, which is playing a great part in increasing the amount of stress that employees are putting themselves under."

Fiona concluded: "Employers should ensure they have systems in place making them aware of the pressures on employees and that they have procedures for regular communication.

"Frequent appraisals and the organisation of out of work activities are examples of ways in which employee morale can be boosted.

"Such activities give staff the chance to air concerns and hopefully eliminate the arrival of a stressful environment. A pro-active approach to stress management will result in a more efficient workforce."

In a recent survey by a time management company, the most common cause of stress was cited as lack of time, 68 per cent of people said that they needed more hours to spend at work or with their families. A third said that they did the work of two people and three quarters had difficulty balancing their work and home life.

With such statistics in mind, it is vitally important stress is recognised by all as a legitimate and serious illness and that employers take the necessary steps to prevent it.

December 13, 2001 10:00