Menu
04/05/2006
Samaritans' report workers have trouble 'switching off'
A survey conducted on behalf of the Samaritans has revealed that a third of UK workers cannot get to sleep at night through anxiety, and three-quarters cannot 'switch off' when they leave the office.
The report's findings released today, coincide with a series of roadshows to launch Samaritan's WorkLife training to help HR professionals and managers cope better with stress and emotional issues in the workplace.
The organisation's training courses aim to help managers and teams tackle the causes of stress in the workplace. WorkLife is being fully funded by Royal & SunAlliance as part of a corporate social responsibility initiative.
The series of eight free road shows will give businesses a taster of what the training involves and will highlight the unique practical skills Samaritans provides for managers or team members, to deal with stress related difficulties in the workplace.
Samaritans' training includes aspects of their 'active listening skills' which are uniquely used by trained Samaritans volunteers and have now been adapted for use within the workplace.
Samaritans' Project co-ordinator Jonathan Moran, said: "Samaritans is already an established provider of communication skills training in the workplace and WorkLife is a natural extension of the training we currently provide to external organisations."
The survey carried out via the internet by Tickbox.net put a series of questions to 1500 employed people aged 16 years and above. When they were asked what contributed to a good working environment, the top factor selected in most regions was “having management staff who were easy to approach” (81%). The next highest factor was 'flexible working' at just under 75%.
The survey asked which qualities staff felt were important in their managers. The top response at 80% was that managers respected the staff's right to having a work:life balance. The next, at 77%, was that a manager should be able to spot when a member of staff needs support.
The survey showed that the most popular way of handling stress was to have a cup of tea, but the second most popular was to take a 'sickie,' though smokers were likely to pop out for a cigarette break to combat stress.
Overall the survey found that 11% felt that bosses do not care about us and one in five believe their boss lacks training at handling employees' personal matters and over one in five say that their boss lacks the personality to do this.
With stress in the workplace frequently cited as the number one issue affecting employee productivity, WorkLife has been designed to support the Health and Safety Executive's Standards and Guidelines for tackling work-related stress.
The Samaritans has been running communications skills training in the workplace for three years for organisations including the Inland Revenue, National Air Traffic Services, Cancer Research UK and Citizen's Advice.
Developed in conjunction with The Media Trust, a fully interactive version of the WorkLife programme on CD-ROM will be available in the autumn.
(SP/KMcA)
The report's findings released today, coincide with a series of roadshows to launch Samaritan's WorkLife training to help HR professionals and managers cope better with stress and emotional issues in the workplace.
The organisation's training courses aim to help managers and teams tackle the causes of stress in the workplace. WorkLife is being fully funded by Royal & SunAlliance as part of a corporate social responsibility initiative.
The series of eight free road shows will give businesses a taster of what the training involves and will highlight the unique practical skills Samaritans provides for managers or team members, to deal with stress related difficulties in the workplace.
Samaritans' training includes aspects of their 'active listening skills' which are uniquely used by trained Samaritans volunteers and have now been adapted for use within the workplace.
Samaritans' Project co-ordinator Jonathan Moran, said: "Samaritans is already an established provider of communication skills training in the workplace and WorkLife is a natural extension of the training we currently provide to external organisations."
The survey carried out via the internet by Tickbox.net put a series of questions to 1500 employed people aged 16 years and above. When they were asked what contributed to a good working environment, the top factor selected in most regions was “having management staff who were easy to approach” (81%). The next highest factor was 'flexible working' at just under 75%.
The survey asked which qualities staff felt were important in their managers. The top response at 80% was that managers respected the staff's right to having a work:life balance. The next, at 77%, was that a manager should be able to spot when a member of staff needs support.
The survey showed that the most popular way of handling stress was to have a cup of tea, but the second most popular was to take a 'sickie,' though smokers were likely to pop out for a cigarette break to combat stress.
Overall the survey found that 11% felt that bosses do not care about us and one in five believe their boss lacks training at handling employees' personal matters and over one in five say that their boss lacks the personality to do this.
With stress in the workplace frequently cited as the number one issue affecting employee productivity, WorkLife has been designed to support the Health and Safety Executive's Standards and Guidelines for tackling work-related stress.
The Samaritans has been running communications skills training in the workplace for three years for organisations including the Inland Revenue, National Air Traffic Services, Cancer Research UK and Citizen's Advice.
Developed in conjunction with The Media Trust, a fully interactive version of the WorkLife programme on CD-ROM will be available in the autumn.
(SP/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 October 2002
Seminars promise businesses 'cut stress and increase profits'
As part of a series of educational seminars throughout the UK following National Stress Awareness Day, Salus Stress Management are to hold seminars in Northern Ireland on November 7 in Coleraine.
Seminars promise businesses 'cut stress and increase profits'
As part of a series of educational seminars throughout the UK following National Stress Awareness Day, Salus Stress Management are to hold seminars in Northern Ireland on November 7 in Coleraine.
22 August 2018
Equality Training Sessions Announced
A number of training sessions for employers and service providers across NI have been announced by the Equality Commission's Advisory Services Team. The training sessions cover some of the most common enquiries received by the Equality Commission each year and will help keep employers on the right side of the law.
Equality Training Sessions Announced
A number of training sessions for employers and service providers across NI have been announced by the Equality Commission's Advisory Services Team. The training sessions cover some of the most common enquiries received by the Equality Commission each year and will help keep employers on the right side of the law.
11 September 2001
Farren launches north-south tourism initiative
The Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Sean Farren, has officially launched a joint training initiative aimed at helping those in the tourism sector recoup losses from the effects of the foot-and-mouth crisis.
Farren launches north-south tourism initiative
The Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Sean Farren, has officially launched a joint training initiative aimed at helping those in the tourism sector recoup losses from the effects of the foot-and-mouth crisis.
31 October 2002
Local firm appointed as new training providers
Sandy Arthur Training Services has become the first company in Northern Ireland to be accredited as a Construction Skills Register Provider by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
Local firm appointed as new training providers
Sandy Arthur Training Services has become the first company in Northern Ireland to be accredited as a Construction Skills Register Provider by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
18 May 2006
Over a fifth of British workers concerned about stress
More than a fifth of British workers are concerned about work-related stress, according to a report by the Health and Safety Executive.
Over a fifth of British workers concerned about stress
More than a fifth of British workers are concerned about work-related stress, according to a report by the Health and Safety Executive.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A rather cloudy morning, with a little patchy light rain or drizzle to start. Skies clearing and becoming dry and increasingly sunny in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 13 °C.Tonight:Dry with prolonged clear spells through the evening and overnight. This will allow for some fog patches to develop in places overnight. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
