Page 26 - BOSS Today Issue 44

BOSS Today #44 DOWN TO BUSINESS – UNDER PRESSURE

UNDER

PRESSURE

In 2017-18, 15.4 million working days were lost due to work-related stress, depression or anxiety*

elieve it or not, a bit of stress permanent change in duties, offering stress, could amount to a disability,
B is actually good for us and can the employee unpaid or paid leave, provided that it has a long-term and
help maintain motivation, but providing training for the employee, and substantially adverse effect on the
excessive and prolonged stress can referring the employee for counselling. individual’s ability to carry out normal
cause all sorts of problems, both Employee assistance providers can day-to-day activities. Depressive
for employees and employers. be an excellent source for referring an illnesses are among the most common
Managers should be alert to the employee for counselling. It might be examples of stress-related conditions.
possibility of stress where there are appropriate for you to consider paying It is unlawful to discriminate against
marked changes in behaviour, or if for the individual to undergo private a disabled employee, or to harass
employees are under particular pressure. counselling, particularly if the stress or victimise an employee on these
Key signs can include increased emotional is directly work-related, is having grounds. Employers are under a duty
reactions, lack of concentration and poor a severe impact on the individual’s to make reasonable adjustments
performance. The key is to be aware of health and has been exacerbated by the in relation to disabled employees
changes to an individual’s behaviour, employer’s failure to take action sooner. to assist them in carrying out their
and to encourage the employee to Where stress causes an employee duties. Appropriate adjustments
seek advice from a GP, who will be to take sickness absence, regular could include reducing working hours,
able to make a proper diagnosis. contact with the employee should help reallocating job duties, and providing
If you learn that an employee is to keep the manager up to date on additional support or supervision.
experiencing stress, it’s a good idea to the employee’s circumstances, and to Steps you can take to help
meet with the employee. Once you’ve explore what the company could do to to prevent stress include:
established the reasons behind the help the employee return to work.
stress, you should consider what steps n Encouraging communication
the company could take to alleviate Depressive illnesses (within the team)
the situation. These include a phased Under the Equality Act 2010, stress n Fostering good relations
return to work (following sickness does not amount to a disability, but with employees
absence), redistribution of some of the a stress-related condition, or a pre- n Ensuring that employees have an
employee’s workload, a temporary or existing condition exacerbated by appropriate amount of work to do

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