Health & Safety Stress Survey
UNIFI conducted a survey of members to indicate the significant factors causing stress in the work-place.
The survey in one major company where unifi have negotiating rights was conducted in July/August 2001.
The results will be used to explore any clusters related to location, age, length of service, sex and ethnic origen.
Survey Form
More about Stress ME / CFS & Depression
Depression Project in South London 2005
HEALTH & SAFETY SURVEY
Would you please complete the enclosed survey and return it to
This survey is on behalf of union members. It has not been commissioned by the Health & Safety Committee, although they will be given a copy of the report. Your replies will remain confidential and will only be published in a composite form that will not identify individual responses.
WORK - RELATED STRESS
Myths and Facts
"Work-related stress is not a serious problem." Wrong - in the UK, as many as one in five people report themselves to be suffering from high levels of work-related stress. That's around five million workers. An estimated ½ million individuals report experiencing stress at a level they believe has made them ill. The cost to Britain's economy is estimated at approx. 6.7 million working days lost per year. It costs society between about £3.7 billion and £3.8 billion.
"Stress is a mental illness." Wrong - stress is the reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them. While it is not an illness, if it is prolonged or intense, it can lead to mental and physical ill health, such as depression, back pain and heart disease.
"A little bit of pressure is good for you." Wrong - ill health due to work-related stress, or conditions ascribed to work-related stress, is the second most common type of work-related ill health reported.
"Stress only happens to wimps." Wrong - anyone can suffer from stress. It all depends on the circumstances we are in at the time. Preventing it is good for employee health and well-being and good for business.
"All you need to do is go for counselling to stop work-related stress." Wrong - counselling may help individuals who are suffering from work-related stress, but it is unlikely to tackle the source of the problem. Research has found that support at work, particularly from managers for their staff, has a protective effect - front line prevention by the organisation is better than third party cure.
"There's nothing employers can do to stop work-related stress." Wrong - employers can take steps to prevent work-related stress in their organisations. As a first step, they can consult with their staff or trade unions to identify problems and work towards agreed solutions.
With acknowledgements to the Health & Safety Executive : FACT SHEET 1: 1 Nov 2000 C180 STRESS 1
