Stress news update for week of January 14 2005

Even though the Christmas and New Year celebrations ended less than two weeks ago, there have already been some significant developments in stress this year – including the following …

Offering staff more flexible working hours is just as likely to make them stay with a firm as increasing their pay, a new report suggests. A survey of 250 employees found that most would consider moving to a new job if the working week was more flexible.

The TUC has criticised claims that the country has become ‘Sicknote Britain’. It said it was untrue that British workers have the worst record for calling in sick when there is nothing wrong with them, and that workers are actually less likely to take short-term sick leave than those in any other European country except Denmark. The TUC also said employers who are serious about cutting sickness absence should improve the work-life balance for their staff and make the working week more flexible; and hit out at commentators who suggested that stress was not a big problem.

The Times has reported growing fears among small businesses that the HSE’s new Management Standards for work-related stress could open the way for legislation. One of the major drivers for these fears were comments from trade unions saying that the guidelines are too weak, and that with stress the biggest cause of absence from work, legislation is ‘essential’.

Research published on 5 January found that nearly three-quarters of firms think an additional New Year Bank Holiday would enhance the productivity and morale of their employees. It was suggested the poll of HR professionals indicated that the additional holiday might help to combat ongoing increases in occupational stress and absenteeism, and reductions in productivity.

The Asian Tsunami has raised some complex issues related to UK employment law. Among these are the rights to time off for staff affected by the disaster; entitlement to statutory sick pay; coping with stress and bereavement at work; changes to working patterns; the provision of counselling and employee assistance programmes; bullying; and how to take account of these issues within stress risk assessments.

Reuters has reported the results of a new study suggesting that while stress has been linked to a woman's risk of developing breast cancer, having an overly stressful job does not appear to do so. The study reviewed information collected from more than 37,500 women about their workplace stress, and followed them for up to eight years, noting who developed breast cancer. Women in so-called ‘active’ jobs – those with high workplace demands but also a lot of latitude when making decisions - were actually 17% less likely to develop breast cancer than women in ‘low-strain’ jobs, where they had a lot of control over a limited number of workplace demands.

Amicus, the UK’s largest private sector union, has said that it will ‘wage war’ on bullying in 2005, with a mass regional programme to expose employers who tolerate bullying in the workplace. The union deals with countless cases of workplace bullying every year, many of which go to tribunal. In 2004 it took the decision not to reveal the names of companies who failed to deal with the problem adequately, but has said that in 2005 it will expose those companies that tolerate the worst cases.

Finally, having a cold bath in the morning could cut stress levels among workers, research has found. The study by the University of Hull found the regime of cold showers taken by athletes could be transferred to the world of work. Dr Peter Clough said stressed workers often became hot and sweaty, but their condition eased if they had a cold bath in the morning. He said the research showed cold water also increased mental toughness.

For informed comment or advice on any of the above, please contact us.