Please note that the following has been reproduced in printed form and a copy issued to all employees.  Paper copies are available from Human Resources

Loughborough University is committed to providing a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students, which must reflect the importance of mental, as well as physical health. For this reason, the University has introduced an Occupational Stress Policy.

It is important, for your own well-being and that of your fellow employees, that you appreciate what stress is, and also are aware of your responsibilities in respect of it.

Training is provided for all groups of staff.  As well as being important in the effective implementation of the Occupational Stress policy and to ensure we meet our legal obligations, I am sure you will also find this of personal benefit.

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FACING UP TO THE ISSUES

1. What is Stress?
2. Effects of Stress
3. Policy on Occupational Stress
4. Management Responsibility
5. Personal Responsibility
6. Sources of Support

Stress is the reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed upon them.

It can be caused by things at work or by things outside of work, or both.

When we feel threatened, the body prepares for action - the so called ‘fight and flight’ response.  Adrenaline is produced to help the body to deal with the threat, for example, if we had to fight an attacker or run from a tiger. 

We may also respond in this way if we find our work situation threatening, but without the release of energy which follows a physical threat.  This can result in the following:

Signs of stress affecting us physically:

• headaches and migraines
• panic attacks
• backache – muscle tension
• breathlessness, dizziness
• frequent coughs and colds
• high blood pressure
• feeling tired all the time
• sleeping too much or not enough
• indigestion, stomach upsets

Signs of stress affecting us emotionally:

• feeling anxious, tense, worried
• irritable, moody, angry
• confused, forgetful
• mind constantly buzzing, hyperactive, over-excited
• depressed, low, withdrawn, unmotivated

Signs of stress showing in our behaviour:

• making more mistakes
• getting anxious about being anxious
• lowered interest in sex
• getting into conflict, snapping at others
• bursting into tears
• eating/drinking/smoking more than usual
• less able to multi-task, cope with interruptions
  

The University has approved a policy on Occupational Stress and accompanying guidance.   A printed version is available.  If you would like a paper copy, please contact Human Resources.

Managers at all levels have a key role in managing stress within the University which include:

• carrying out risk assessments
• taking action to reduce stress
• supporting employees

Compulsory training for managers is provided to facilitate the process, and documentation to support this.

Individual employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety, and that of others. 

This includes:

• making your line manager aware if your work is causing you stress
• supporting colleagues

Briefings on the policy are arranged locally for all employees.  In addition, training sessions on managing personal stress are available to all through Staff Development.

Human Resources

For advice to all staff including managers, please contact the HR Adviser for your area, as follows:

Mary Thomas, General Policy Issues and Specialist Advice.  Also Adviser for Faculty of Engineering, tel: 01509 222166 or extension 2166, or email: Mary Thomas .

Joanne Arno, Adviser for Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, tel:  01509 223608 or extension 3608, or email:  Jo Arno

Anne Lamb, Adviser for Faculty of Science, SDC and Estates, tel:  01509 222168, or extension 2168 or email: Anne Lamb

Ruth McHugh, Adviser for Support Services, tel:  01509 228022 or extension 8022, or email: Ruth McHugh

Occupational Health

Wendy Jones, Occupational Health Adviser, tel:  01509 222851, extension 2851 or email: Wendy Jones

Please note that referrals are normally through HR Adviser s.

Those in imago should contact Ellie Casey in Human Resources, tel: 01509 222072 or extension 2072, or email Ellie Casey

Staff Counselling Service

This is completely confidential, available to all and free.  Tel: 01509 222148, or extension 2148, or email Counselling

Staff Development

For information and advice on training in personal stress management, meditation and so on, tel: 01509 222381 or extension 2381, or email Staff Development .  Available to all staff.

Chaplaincy

The co-ordinating chaplain is Revd Simon Richardson is available to all denominations for help and referral, on 01509 237761 or email Revd Richardson.

Alternatively, contact the Chaplaincy centre office on 01509 223741 or extension 3741 (Brockington Building room B003).

Your union representatives

UCU – contact Rob Kirkwood on 01509 222311 or extension 2311, or email R.S.M.Kirkwood@lboro.ac.uk

Unite – contact Dave Roche on 01509 227301 or extension 7301, or email D.J.Roche@lboro.ac.uk

Unison – contact Dave Jordan on 01509 228298 or extension 8298, or email D.Jordan@lboro.ac.uk. 

Author: Human Resources (MET) October 2005