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Stress in the Workplace

Although stress is much in the news at present, it isn’t a new problem. Pressure is part and parcel of all work and helps to keep us motivated. But excessive pressure can lead to stress and this can undermine performance, is costly to employers and can make people ill.

The most recent research from the Health and Safety Executive (2002) suggests that since 1995 the number of working days lost to stress, anxiety and depression has more than doubled. This means that in Britain in 2001, 13.4 million working days were lost to stress, depression and anxiety. Each new work-related case of stress leads to an average of 29 days off work and costs society about £3.7 billion every year (at 1995/6 prices).

The fact that absence due to stress is growing so rapidly means that there is a growing number of absent employees for whom very few solutions are readily available and the implications for employers is very costly.

There are clear benefits to preventing work-related stress:
• Quality of working life: employees feel happier and more valued and perform better
• Improved attendance/sickness: attendance levels go up/ sickness absence goes down
• Increased productivity & profits: as productivity goes up, company profits increase
• Improved employment relations: reduced risk of future employment tribunals

If employers can reduce stress they can reduce their costs, so it makes perfect sense to provide some means of stress relief in the workplace.

More and more employers are aware that a regular massage can reduce the physical and mental effects of stress, thus reducing burnout and stress related diseases. Moreover, they are heeding the call by introducing massage therapy in the workplace, not only as a perk but also to increase productivity and morale.

A study by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami found that after five weeks, a group of 26 employees who had twice-weekly, 15-minute massages in the office fared better than a controlled group of 24 employees who were just told to close their eyes and relax

In addition, using electroencephalograms (EEG), researchers measured alpha and beta waves in both groups and found massage recipients to be more alert and stress hormones in their saliva were lower than in the controlled group.

There are no statistics on the number of companies that offer massage therapy on-site, but those that do offer it include law, insurance and accountancy firms, banks, hospitals, transport providers, manufacturers and some corporations in the city.

• Do you want to provide a more friendly, stress-free working environment?
• Do you want a happier, more productive workforce?
• Do you want an increase in profits?

If you answered yes to all three questions then read on.

In September 2004, I was contracted by London Underground to provide stress relief to members of staff at their Head Office on the 1st Friday of each month to include Indian Head Massage, Thai Seated Massage and Reiki. The response and feedback from members of staff was so positive that by November 2004, I was providing treatments on the 1st and 3rd Friday in each month together with a further day at a new location. The success of the above can be further measured by the fact that individual staff members pay for their own treatments. This is a unique situation as most companies see stress relief as a perk or will offer a subsidy – the fact that staff are prepared to finance their own treatments indicates the importance they place on this facility.

My therapists are fully trained to carry out a variety of seated massage techniques and all hold valid professional and public liability insurance. Learn to manage and control stress through Life Coaching, a powerful process that supports clients in making choices, providing a framework and support mechanism to set clear objectives for the future. Because every company is unique in the way it operates and objectives may vary, my package is designed to suit your business.

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Why not stage your own in-house Stress Awareness Day where members of your staff can pop-in throughout the day to talk to suitably qualified therapists about ways of reducing and managing stress levels and try out different relaxation treatments.

If your company is committed to reducing stress in the workplace or you would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am very happy to visit your office to discuss a tailor-made plan for the future well being of your employees.