HSENI call to join work-related stress webinars

Work-related stress is a significant issue that faces many employers and employees.

An estimated 16,000 people in Northern Ireland suffered from stress, anxiety or depression caused or made worse by work in 2018/19.

Many more working days are lost through associated staff absences.

During recent years, HSENI has pro-actively reached out to employers to raise awareness of the scale of the problem of work-related stress and to provide a resource for employers through its Mental Well-being at Work Advisory Service.

Recent months have seen a unique set of challenging circumstances unfold for employers and employees alike. During this time the advisory service has been developing material to help businesses and their staff better deal with many of the work-related stressors that seem all too common.

The Mental Well-being at Work Advisory Service has adapted its suite of workshops to be delivered by way of webinar using online video conferencing facilities. These webinars are free to attend and focus on the principles outlined within the Health and Safety Executive’s Management Standards, an assessment based approach to managing work-related stress. Sessions include implementation of the Management Standards at an organisational level and a more tailored session for line managers.

Kyle Carrick, Principal Inspector of HSENI’s Occupational Health and Hygiene Group said: “During recent months we have been unable to deliver our workshops in the normal way. We are now in a position to deliver these important sessions online and it’s an exciting time for our Mental Well-being at Work Advisors who I know are looking forward to mentoring and supporting Northern Ireland employers. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a very different work environment for many.

“Now more than ever, an assessment-based approach to managing work-related stress is important. These webinars will enable employers to apply such an approach by using the HSE Management Standards.”

The free to attend webinars are due to commence in September. Employers or line managers wishing to attend should register at https://www.hseni.gov.uk/articles/health-and-safety-events

As a further aid to employers the Mental Well-being at Work Advisory Service has recently produced a Northern Ireland version of the Talking Toolkit which provides a framework for line managers to begin conversations with their staff about the six key work areas where work-related stress is most likely to occur at work, namely Demands, Control, Support, Relationships, Role and Change.

The Talking Toolkit can be accessed at www.hseni.gov.uk/publications/talking-toolkit-preventing-work-related-stress

An information leaflet considering mental well-being at work, while working at home, has also been developed and is available at www.hseni.gov.uk/publications/mental-well-being-work-working-home

For further information on managing work-related stress or for more information about available workshops please contact HSENI by emailing [email protected] or visit www.hseni.gov.uk

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you