Stress expert calls for a different approach

With stress in the workplace on the increase, and an estimated seven million working days lost each year in the UK, one expert has claimed that executives need to change their approach to workplace stress.

“It is necessary to change their perceptions on how to tackle the problem if they are to improve employee performance and well being long-term,” said Scott Watson, Performance Director at Yorkshire based Summit Consulting & Training. “Some executives view stress as a headache that just won’t seem to go away. But I think that is a rather short sighted view to take.”

Watson claims many counselling techniques deal more with the symptoms of stress rather than the root causes. Companies that limit themselves to using these approaches more through habit than because of improved results, stand to lose financially and will find it difficult to retain vital staff goodwill.

He added: “Heavy workloads, tough deadlines and poor management can all contribute to the development of stress, fatigue and many other health conditions.”

But whilst companies may make telephone helplines for staff to call, this can often be when the situation is at its worst.”

Figures published by the Health & Safety Executive indicate that 6.7 million working days are lost each year due to the effects of stress. The cost to society is estimated to be in the region of £3.8 billion.

Watson believes that specialist personal coaching for managers and front line staff can help companies keep their employees healthy and productive: “Surely it is more productive to deal with issues before they become severe and create the need for long term and expensive counselling and lost productivity.”

With a client portfolio including some of the UK’s leading companies, Summit have already received critical acclaim for their behavioural and skills based development projects.

To find out more about how your company can reduce stress and improve productivity visit the Summit Consulting & Training website at www.summitconsultants.co.uk.

The human resource consultancy specialise in development for management, sales and service and operates an international consultancy – offering training and one-to-one coaching sessions for operatives and executives in all industrial and commercial sectors.

(SP)