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.

This is the first year that these seminars, presented by International Stress Management Association UK (ISMAUK) member Michael Fountain, has been held in the province.

Mr Fountain said: “Stress affects many local businesses – but is an issue that the majority of employers fail to properly acknowledge,” says Michael Fountain. “The fact is that if your staff are stressed, this is almost certainly affecting your profits - but there are positive steps that you can take to address this. That’s why I’d encourage all local businesses to register for the free seminars.”

More information on the free seminars is available from Michael Fountain at Salus Stress Management on tel. 028 7035 7500.

Organised for the fifth year running by ISMAUK, the purpose of National Stress Awareness Day on Wednesday, November 6, is to educate businesses and individuals about the positive steps they can take to reduce stress.

According to ISMAUK by reducing stress businesses can achieve benefits including improved productivity and job satisfaction, and reduced sickness absence.

Widely recognised as one of the most common causes of absence from work, stress results in an estimated 6.5m lost working days per year, costing UK businesses around £370m.

With a theme 'Managing stress in an ever-changing world', ISMAUK plans to publish the results of specially commissioned research into the effects of change on personal stress levels – as well as the impacts of the numerous other stressors found in the modern workplace - on National Stress Awareness Day.

ISMAUK research last year found that more than 50% of workers suffer from stress at work – with long hours as a major factor.

ISMA is one of the world’s largest, most widespread and fastest growing organisations of Stress Management professionals.

It exists to promote sound knowledge and best practice in the prevention, reduction and management of personal and work-related stress; and sets professional standards for the benefit of individuals and organisations using the services of its members.

For more information visit the ISMAUK website at www.isma.org.uk

(SP)