UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE

HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

POLICY
FOR
STRESS MANAGEMENT

Facilities Management

April 2005

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 University of Central Lancashire

Policy for Stress Management

Introduction

The University of Central Lancashire is committed to promoting a work environment

which is safe and healthy, maintains dignity at work, supports an acceptable work/life
balance and recognises the mutual responsibilities and rights of both employers and
employees. This commitment extends to people's mental health which can be affected by
the pressures and demands of work as well as factors outside work.

The University expresses this commitment in its corporate Health, Safety & Environment
Policy and also in its corporate Policy on Health. However the introduction by the Health
and Safety Executive, of the Securing Health Together strategy and more recently the
development of the first draft management standards require that the University adopts a
more explicit framework for the management of stress at work.

This policy will apply to all employees of the University. Managers are responsible for
implementation of the policy and the University is responsible for providing the necessary
resources for its implementation.

Definition of stress

The Health and Safety Executive define stress as "the adverse reaction people have to
excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them". This makes an important
distinction between pressure, which can be a positive state if managed correctly, and
stress, which can be detrimental to health. The ability to cope with stress is largely
dependent on an individuals own threshold level which varies both from individual to
individual and under the specific circumstances.

Policy

The University has identified the following aims for the effective management of stress in
the workplace:
To increase general awareness of the causes and effects of stress, and the methods
available to combat its damaging effects;

To provide training for managers and supervisory staff to raise awareness of the
actions and attitudes that promote effective, enjoyable working;

To identify workplace stressors and conduct risk assessments to eliminate or
reduce stress and control the risks arising from stress. These risk assessments will
be regularly reviewed;

To make available confidential counselling for staff affected by stress caused by
work or external factors;
To provide an occupational health service that can provide effective advice and
support when problems occur;

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To provide adequate resources to enable implementation of the stress management
strategy;

To consult with Trade Union Safety Representatives on the prevention and
reduction of workplace stress.

Organisation

The reduction and elimination of stress involves a partnership between the University's
managers, individual members of staff, the specialist support services and the recognised
trade unions. The following paragraphs summarise the main responsibilities for the
health and safety and welfare of staff, and apply equally to the management of stress at
work.

University Corporate Management

The Vice-Chancellor and Senior Management Team are responsible to the University
Board for the overall management of health, safety and welfare at work. The University
Health, Safety & Environment Manager and the Director of Human Resources provide
professional advice at this level. Consultation takes place through the University Health,
Safety and Environment Committee. Responsibilities include ensuring that there is a
policy, a supporting strategy and necessary guidelines for managing stress and for
minimising the risks to mental and physical health. The University has also expressed its
commitment to securing and promoting the health of staff through its Health Promoting
University initiative, which aims to embed an understanding of, and commitment to,
health within its culture, structures and processes.

Managers

Individual Managers have a responsibility to:

Undertake and implement recommendations of risks assessments within their own

areas;

Ensure good communication between management and staff, particularly where

there are organisational and procedural changes;

Ensure staff are fully trained to discharge their duties;

Ensure staff are provided with appropriate developmental opportunities;

Monitor workloads to ensure that individual staff are not overloaded or

underloaded;

Monitor working hours and overtime to ensure that individual staff are not
overworking;

Ensure that staff are taking their full holiday entitlement;

Attend training in good management practice/techniques and the recognition of
stress;

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 Ensure that staff are informed of appropriate services, policies and facilities;

Where appropriate, refer to Human Resources any staff who may present with a
stress related illness;

Offer appropriate additional support to a member of staff who is experiencing

stress outside work e.g. bereavement or separation;

Recommend and implement, in association with Human Resources and the

University Occupational Health Providers, individual return to work programmes
to assist and support employees returning to work after a stress related illness.

Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

The HSE Manager and Advisers have a responsibility to:

Provide specialist advice on stress;

Support managers in implementing stress risk assessments;

Monitor and review the effectiveness of measures in place to reduce stress;

Inform the University and the Health, Safety & Environment Committee of any
changes and developments in the field of stress at work.

Human Resources

Human Resources have a responsibility to:

Give guidance to managers on the stress policy;

Assist in monitoring the effectiveness of measures to address stress by collating

sickness absence statistics;

Advise managers and individuals on available training and training requirements;

Provide continuing support to managers and individuals in a changing

environment and encourage referral to Occupational Health provider and/or
Counselling Service where appropriate;

Assist managers and individuals, in association with the University Occupational

Health Providers, in the recommendation and implementation of individual return
to work programmes to assist and support employees returning to work after a
stress related illness.

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The Universitys Occupational Health Providers:

Support individuals who have been off sick with stress and advise them and
Human Resources of appropriate action to be considered;

Refer to the Staff Counselling Service or specialist agencies as appropriate;

Assist managers and individuals, in association with Human Resources, in the

recommendation and implementation of individual return to work programmes to
assist and support employees returning to work after a stress related illness.

The University Staff Counselling Service:

Provide a confidential counselling and support service;

Provide training sessions on relaxation and stress management.

The University Chaplains:

Are able to offer the provision of confidential support.

Health Promoting University

Advise on the overall promotion of mental well-being;

Work with the HS&E Section, Human Resources, trades unions and other
relevant services and individuals;

Liaise with external health-related agencies and with the regional lead on mental
health promotion.

Employees

Individual employees have a duty to:

Take reasonable care both of their own health and general fitness and of the health
and welfare of others who could be affected by their actions.
Raise issues of concern with their line manager, safety representative, Human
Resources or Occupational Health provider;

Consider and use as appropriate the support services provided e.g. Counselling
and/or Occupational Health provider, whether through self-referral or following
recommendation from their line manager, referral via Human Resources.

Safety Representatives

The function of Safety Representatives is to:

Participate in consultation on changes to work practices or work design;

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 Consult with members on the issue of stress including conducting appropriate
workplace surveys;

Be involved in the risk assessment process;

Conduct joint inspections of the workplace to ensure that environmental stressors

are properly controlled.

Role of the University Health, Safety & Environment Committee

The University Health, Safety & Environment Committee will oversee

monitoring of the efficacy of the policy and other measures to reduce stress and
promote workplace health and safety.

Signed:

Date:

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Appendix A

UNIVERSITY POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND SCHEMES WHICH

SUPPORT STAFF

Policies

Health, Safety & Environment Policy

Equal Opportunity Policy
Sickness Absence Policy
Harassment Policy
Smoking Policy
Drugs and Alcohol Policy

Procedures

Grievance Procedure
Redeployment Procedure

Schemes

Special Leave Scheme

Sickness Payments Scheme
Maternity, Paternity and Adoption
Job Share Scheme
Career Break Scheme
Redundancy and Premature Retirement Compensation Scheme
Relocation Scheme
Home Working Scheme
Flexi time Scheme
Long Service Award Scheme
Draft Working Location Scheme
Study Leave Scheme
Parental Leave Scheme
Sabbatical Leave Scheme

Training

A full list of available training courses can be accessed via the following link

https://intranet.uclan.ac.uk/ou/hr/Lists/StaffDevelopmentCourses/AllItems.aspx

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Appendix B Quick Referral Guide for Health Issues

Alcoholics Anonymous
PO Box 1, Stonebow House, Stonebow, York YO!1 7NJ
Tel: 01904 644 026
Web: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

AA is a fellowship of recovering alcoholics who meet regularly to help each other to stay
sober. The AA website describes the fellowship, tells you how to get in touch, and gives
basic on-line literature.

The Association for Counselling at Work (ACW)

1 Regent Place, Rugby, CV21 2PJ
Tel: 0870 443 5252
Email: acw@bacp.co.uk
Web: www.counselling.co.uk

The Associate for Counselling at Work is a specialist division of the British Association
for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). ACW promotes professional counselling and
the development of counselling skills in the workplace, and supports good practice in the
prevention of psychological ill-health caused by work and provision of appropriate
support for staff that are affected.

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

BACP House, 35-37 Albert Street, Rugby, CV21 2SG
Tel: 0870443 5252
Email: bacp@bacp.co.uk
Web: www.bacp.co.uk

The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy is one of the professional
bodies for counsellors representing their interests nationally and internationally,
providing support and promoting greater awareness and understanding of the profession.
The website provides a directory of therapists that can be searched by area.

The British Psychological Society (BPS)

St Andrews House, 48 Princess road East, Leicester, LE1 7DR
Tel: 0116 254 9568
Email: enquiry@bps.org.uk
Web: www.bps.org.uk

The British Psychological Society is the representative body for psychologists and
psychology in the UK with over 34,000 members. The Society has national responsibility
for the development, promotion and application of psychology for the public good.
Psychologists who provide counselling can be located via the Register of Chartered
Psychologists which can be found on the website and in libraries.

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Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
CIPD House, Camp Road, London SW19 4UX
Tel: 020 8971 9000
Email: cipd@cipd.co.uk
Web: www.cipd.co.uk

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development is the professional body for all
those specialising in advancing the management and the development of people. CIPD
aims to advance the management and development of people to the benefit of
individuals, employers and the community at large.

Depression Alliance
35 Westminster Bridge Road, London. SE1 7BJ
Tel: 020 7633 0557
Email: information@depressionalliance.org
Web: www.depressionalliance.org

Depression Alliance is a charity offering help to people with depression, run by those
who have experienced depression themselves. It produces publications on various
aspects of depression, a written advisory service offering support and understanding,
self-help groups across the UK, a quarterly newsletter, workshops, seminars and
conferences about different issues relating to depression. Their website contains
practical information about depression, as well as details of Depression Alliance
campaigns and local groups.

Disability Rights Commission (DRC)

DRC Helpline, Freepost MID 09164, Stratford-upon0-Avon, CV37 9BR
Tel: 08457 622 633
Email: enquiries@drc-gb.org
Web: www.drc-gb.org

The Disability Rights Commission is an independent body set up by the government to

help secure civil rights for people with disabilities and advise on the working of disability
legislation, particularly the Disability Discrimination Act.

Employers Forum on Disability

Nutmeg House, 60 Gainsford Street, London SE1 2NY
Tel: 020 7403 3020
Email: efd@employers-forum.co.uk
Web: www.employers-forum.co.uk

The Employers Forum on Disability is the national employers organisation focusing on

disability in the UK. Funded and managed by its members, the Employers Forum makes
it easier to recruit and retain disabled employees and to serve disabled customers.

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Health & Safety Executive (HSE)
HSE Infoline, Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG
Tel: 020 7717 6000
Info Line: 08701 545500
Email: hseinformationservices@natbrit.com
Web: www.hse.gov.uk

The Health and Safety Executives mission is to ensure that risks to peoples health and
safety at work activities are properly controlled. It aims to ensure that employers fulfil
their obligations to their employees, and that all employees look after their own health.

Mental Health Foundation

UK Office, 7th Floor, 83 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0HW
Tel: 020 7802 0300
Email: mhf@mhf.org.uk
Web: www.mentalhealth.org.uk

The Mental Health Foundation is a leading UK charity providing research and community
projects to improve support for people with mental health problems and people with
learning disabilities. It provides information on specific mental health problems, where
to get help, treatments and rights.

Mind
15-19 Broadway, London E15 4BQ
Tel: 020 8519 2122
Email: contact@mind.org.uk or publications@mind.org.uk
Web: www.mind.org.uk

Mind is a leading mental health charity in England and Wales, working for a better life
for everyone with experience of mental distress. Mind has a very comprehensive
website, offering advice, information and background briefings on a wide range of
mental health issues and specific mental health problems, as well as details of events
and campaigns.

The National Health Service

C/o Department of Health, Richmond House, 79 Whitehall, London SW1A 2NS
Tel: 020 7210 4850
Email: dhmail@doh.gsi.gov.uk
Web: www.nhs.uk

The National Health Service was set up in 1948 to provide healthcare for all citizens,
based on need, not the ability to pay. It is made up of a wide range of health
professionals, support workers and organisations. The NHS aims to bring about the
highest level of physical and mental health for all citizens, within the resources
available, by promoting health and preventing ill-health; by diagnosing and treating injury
and disease, and by caring for those with a long-term illness and disability, who require
the services of the NHS.

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NHS Direct
Tel: 0845 46 47
Web: www.nhsdirect.co.uk

NHS Direct operates a 24 hour nurse advice and health information service, providing
confidential information on what to do if you, or your family are feeling ill particular
health conditions; local healthcare services and self help and support organisations. The
telephone service is available in England and Wales and a similar service called NHS24.
Calls to NHS are charged at local rates and for patients safety, all calls are recorded.

Samaritans
11 St Wilfreds Street, Preston PR1 2US
Tel: 01772 822022

A registered charity based in the UK and Ireland. The Samaritans provide a

confidential emotional support to any person who is suicidal or despairing. The
Samaritans run a confidential telephone helpline, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Trade Union Congress (TUC)

Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS
Tel: 020 7636 4030
Email: info@tuc.org.uk
Web: www.tuc.gov.uk

The TUC is the voice of Britain at work. With more than 70 member unions
representing nearly seven million working people from all walks of life, the TUC campaign
for a fair deal at work and for social justice at home and abroad.

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 University Services & Local Health
Organisations/Helplines
University Services - Preston

Occupational Health Provider 892336

Human Resources (General Enquiries) 892324
University Staff Counsellors 892329
Health, Safety & Environment Section 892047
University Chaplain 892615
Health Promoting University Initiative 893761

Local Preston Services

Alcohol and Drug Service 561300

Cancer Help 793344
Citizens Advice Bureau 822416
Cruse (bereavement care) 01257 232260
Drug line Lancashire 825492
GUM Clinic 522814
Mental Health Helpline 0500 639000
Mens Health Projects 516423
Preston HIV Support Team 468170
Preston Victim Support 201142
Preston Womens Centre 702397
Preston Womens Refuge 201601
Relate (relationship counselling) 717597
Royal Preston Hospital 716565
Sahara in Preston (for African-Caribbean and Asian women) 702090
Urban Exchange 255300
Young Gay & Bisexual mens Project 07734 901019

University Services - Cumbria

Occupational Health Providers 892336

Human Resources (General Enquiries) 894072
University Staff Counsellors 892329
Health, Safety & Environment Section 892047
University Chaplain 01768 867053
Health Promoting University Initiative 893761

Local Cumbria Services

CADAS
(Cumbria Alcohol & Drugs Advisory Service) 01229 837592
Citizens Advice Bureau 01768 863564
FDAC Furness Drug & Alcohol Concern 01229 811111
GUM Kendal 01539 795217
GUM Clinic Carlisle 01228 814814
(Genito-Urinary Medicine, including STIs, HIV testing)

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