Healthy Workplaces Manage Stress – European Campaign 2014 - 2016
Are you coping as well as you would like to?
Do any of these describe you?
- Excessively Tired
- Weepy
- Unusually irritable
- Feeling low
- Drinking or smoking more than usual
- Problems with eating
- Problems with sleeping
- Butterflies/palpitations
What help is available to you?
The support available to you will depend on the cause of your concerns, but some of the information below may be helpful.
If you are able to, talk to your manager about how you are feeling. Irrespective of whether the cause is to do with work or not, they are still likely to be of help. They may be able to look at adjusting workloads or work patterns, etc. to help you through a difficult time. If they know about it they are better placed to help.
Some of the workshops, short courses, or resources available through the University may be helpful. Coaching, Building Resilience Workshops, Employee Support Programme, etc.
Ensure you take time away from work for a break at lunchtime, etc. Depending on the cause of your concerns, it may be appropriate to take advantage of some of the leisure facilities on campus, such as the Leisure Centre, Gallery, etc.
A variety of network groups exist within the University, which may offer personal or work related support, such as: Staff Networks, HEaTED, etc.
Professional help and advice is available through the Occupational Health Service Occupational Health Support
How to be better prepared
Get enough sleep to help you remain healthy and more resilient
Participate in leisure activities, which can help keep your body and mind healthy and serve as distraction to everyday life. It is important to make time for the things you enjoy.
Manage your time better and, if you aren’t very good at this, take advantage of the workshops provided by the University to equip you with the skills to improve this.
Take your lunchtime break; it is essential that you have a break from your work. People often think that they get more done if they work through their lunch, but it’s a myth! Taking a break and eating sensibly has been found to make you more energised and productive afterwards.
Join some of the Network Groups that exist on campus or through the University, such as: Staff Networks, HEaTED, etc.
If you are experiencing problems in your life, talking to someone can often help. Share your concerns with your manager, a friend, a colleague or a professional before they become too much for you to cope with.
Is everyone in your team coping as well as you would like them to?
Do any of these describe someone you know?
- Excessively Tired
- Weepy
- Unusually irritable
- Feeling low
- Drinking or smoking more than usual
- Problems with eating
- Problems with sleeping
- Butterflies/palpitations
How can you help one of your team?
The support you offer will depend on the cause of the individual’s concerns, but some of the information below may be helpful:
- Be approachable and listen sympathetically
- Treat any information shared with you confidentially
- Assess the work situation to see if a change in workload or pattern might be able to help
- Provide information on what personal or work related support is available through the University, such as: Coaching, Building Resilience Workshops, Employee Support Programme, etc.
- Ensure individuals take time away from work for breaks at lunchtime, etc.
- Depending on the cause of the individuals concerns, it may be appropriate to encourage them to take advantage of some of the leisure facilities on campus, such as the Leisure Centre, Gallery, etc.
- Provide details of network groups, which may offer support, such as: Staff Networks, HEaTED, etc.
Training is available for managers on how to offer the right support to their team members - specific sessions are available during the Campaign Week
If you are unsure how to deal with the situation, speak to the Occupational Health Adviser, who will be able to offer more specific advice. You can find out more about the services offered via the link Occupational Health Support
Health, Safety & Wellbeing May 2015