Physical safety is a vital aspect of workplace H&S, but it’s not the only factor to consider.
General well-being is also important, both in terms of safety and productivity. Stress, sleep deprivation and substance abuse can all negatively impact an employee’s performance, perhaps making them careless or prone to mistakes.
To mark the upcoming World Well-being Week which runs from 26-30 June, we’ll take a look at some of the hidden pressures that could be affecting your employees, and the ways in which you can offer support.
Stress
Stress combined with anxiety and depression to make mental health the single most common cause of workplace ill health in 2021/22, accounting for half of all cases.
Stress can manifest itself in a number of ways, but common warning signs include: frequent absences or sick days, a sudden decline in performance, mood swings and a lack of motivation.
HSE lists six main factors, related to work, that can contribute to stress. These are demands, control, support, relationships, role and change. Examples include:
- Being unable to cope with the demands of the job
- Feeling a lack of agency
- Being unable to access necessary information or support
- Experiencing bullying
- Not fully understanding the role
- Not being consulted about major changes
The best way to deal with stress is pre-emptively. Carrying out a stress risk assessment for new tasks lets you spot potential stressors before they cause problems. Think about each task in terms of the six stress factors and try to come up with ways to alleviate these pressures. This could mean allocating more time, providing extra information, or giving the employee more control over how tasks are carried out.
You should also make sure that employees have someone to talk to if they feel stressed. This could be a line manager, your HR department or a trade union representative. Whoever they choose, there should be a clear process in place for reporting stress.
Sleep deprivation
Difficulty sleeping is a common side effect of stress, and this can have a serious impact on work:
- Fatigue causes 13% of all workplace injuries
- Tired employees are 1.6 times more likely to suffer an injury at work
- Sleep deprived employees are 171% more likely to call in sick
People employed as drivers are especially vulnerable to tiredness. Up to 20% of all accidents involve tired drivers, many of whom are driving for work. Employees who commute by car are also at risk, with 38% admitting to having an accident or near miss when tired.
There are some simple steps you can take to encourage better sleep:
- Include tiredness in your risk assessments and update them if working patterns change
- Keep shifts regular to minimise sleep disruption
- Limit overtime and shift-swapping
- Give employees regular breaks
- Update delivery schedules so that drivers have time for breaks
- Allow flexible working hours so that commuters don’t have to rush
Drugs and alcohol
Both stress and sleep deprivation can lead to drug and alcohol abuse. This creates many of the same problems, but the effects are often more extreme. Along with poor performance and unexplained absences, violent or irrational behaviour may be symptoms of substance abuse.
Every workplace should have a clear drugs and alcohol policy. This should focus on help and support, while also making it clear that disciplinary action may be taken if necessary. This is especially important if you employ drivers. Every new driver should be made aware that driving under the influence is never acceptable.
If you suspect an employee of abusing drugs or alcohol, it’s important to tread carefully. Drug testing is an option, but it must be carried out in accordance with strict guidelines. Bear in mind that drug testing can be bad for morale, as it may imply that you don’t trust employees to follow the rules.
A more supportive approach can often yield better results. Make it clear that employees can come to you if they are struggling, but also clarify that you are legally obliged to report illegal activity. External support may be the best option, either in the form of a GP or a specialised drug and alcohol service.
Don’t go it alone
A workplace is a delicate ecosystem. For it to run smoothly, everyone has to be functioning at a high capacity. If you need help creating a drug and alcohol policy, or have any concerns about your employees’ well-being, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Our next First Aid for Mental Health course will be running at our offices, Emersons Green on Monday 26th June. Those who complete the course can expect an informative, engaging and thought-provoking experience on their day with us while getting trained as a designated mental health first aider for their company. This course is a way to help recognise and manage the subjects mentioned above. Attendees will feel more confident talking to those experiencing an immediate mental health crisis, or in helping to encourage someone to seek help for the first time. To learn more or book, click here.
