Workplace stress
This is from a piece reporting on research into occupational health risks conducted by Manchester University and Imperial College using data from reports completed by those who examine sick employees. Dobson outlines the main causes of stress as shown in the report and discussed by various experts in the field of organisational psychology. For example he writes that changes at work (especially those over which people feel they have no control) including new responsibilities and new technology, accounted for one in ten cases, also constantly working long hours (that means over 41 a week not 50) will make you ill. Very few cases (4%) came from tension between home and work.
He writes that it's important to praise and reward, review job demands and improve working relationships and provides some tips to control work-related stress:
- Break up your work into smaller chunks. Complete a job before you start the next one. The satisfaction of seeing a job done reduces stress.
- Talk to your boss - around 40 per cent of large companies have stress-relief programmes.
- Don't be tempted to work longer hours. Tiredness increases stress.
- Get fit - regular aerobic exercise can reduce anxiety by up to 50 per cent.
- Keep up outside interests to maintain a sense of proportion. A social life is an important safety valve.
- Don't lose confidence. People in work always underrate their skills.
- Take breaks, including at least half and hour at lunch. If you feel stress building, take a few minutes' break.
- Cultivate friends at work who you can talk to in times of stress.
- Eat healthily and avoid excessive caffeine, increased drinking, smoking or drugs.
If concerned, see your GP or occupational health physician. Many employers, unions and voluntary agencies offer confidential advice.
Aches and pains?
An article by Nick Jackson in The Independent Careers section, Thursday 3rd August 2006, suggests the use of a new program "that can detect and treat RSI even before users are aware of the problem." (Jackson, 2006, p. 9). The program was created by a Doctor Hornstein "in frustration at how far patients' condition had to deteriorate before they were referred to him. [… It's] the first program to include an assessment using orthopaedic tests. [rather than just reminding you to take breaks …] as you work, a health score monitors your risk of RSI, according to how much you use the computer and how often you do your exercises." (op. cit.)
For information on Desk Doctor see www.einspine.com
