Workplace stress is emerging as a significant threat to business productivity. A survey by Royal & Sun Alliance with the International Stress Management Association (ISMA), released November 1 for National Stress Awareness Day, estimates that staff absenteeism due to stress costs businesses around £3.7 billion each year. A study of five countries, including the UK, by the International Labour Organisation, issued in October, says that as many as one in ten workers suffers from depression, anxiety, stress or burn-out.
Meanwhile, an Industrial Society report, New Work, New Stress, is urging employers to take more responsibility for controlling stress-related illnesses by considering the impacts of organisational changes, training managers to spot signs of serious job strain, and encouraging a culture where stress is not seen as a sign of weakness. A survey of 1,500 people for the charity Mind, released in October, found that almost two-thirds of people think work stress is the main cause of mental health problems, from depression to serious illness. Contact Suzanne Sullivan, Royal Sun Alliance, on 020 8607 9858. (http://www.royalsunalliance.co.uk) or Memuna Forna, The Industrial Society, on 020 7479 2111 (http://www.indsoc.co.uk).
Work-life out of balance
One in nine full-time employees works more than 60 hours a week; two in three men say working part-time would effect their career progression, according to the Work-life Balance 2000 survey, issued on November 20. Based on interviews with 7,500 employees and 2,500 employers, evidence emerges that some businesses are embracing more family-friendly policies, with a quarter of employees permitted to work flexitime and an eighth working only during term-time. Contact John Shield, DfEE, on 020 7925 5107 (http://www.dfee.gov.uk)
Benefiting from a better balance
Companies such as Rolls Royce Cars, Freemans, London Electricity, Standard Life and Yorkshire Building Society are among the nearly 70 beneficiaries of the government’s new £5 million Work/Life Balance Challenge Fund. The winning organisations have policies on flexible working hours, part-time working, enhanced maternity leave, family leave arrangements and job-sharing. Less casual sickness absence, better productivity, greater recruitment appeal and higher morale are among the benefits cited. Contact Janet Coull, DFEE, on 020 7925 5104 (http://www.dfee.gov.uk/work-lifebalance)
news in brief
• A survey of 100 Allen & Overy clients, published by the international law firm on November 21, finds that eight out of ten claim to operate a parental leave policy, with half allowing time off for domestic emergencies. In December, the government was expected to make proposals to re-enforce parental rights. Contact Sarah Gibson, Allen & Overy, on 020 7330 3000 (http://www.allenovery.com)
• Asda is allowing employees to take a week off after the birth of a grandchild and up to three months unpaid leave to help care for their grandchildren. With 14,000 employees over 50, the company is seeking a reduction in its 3.5% annual staff turnover and 1.5% absenteeism rate, already below national averages. Contact Asda on 0113 243 5435 (http://www.asda.co.uk).
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