Workplace stress assessments shown to be a helpful exercise for teams during uncertainty
The Staff Wellbeing team are pleased to note that increasing numbers of teams around the University are using the tools put in place to help them carry out workplace stress assessments. Recent feedback has described the process as “a very helpful exercise” and “an opportunity to identify what we can do as individuals and as a School”.
There are two reasons why all teams should carry out these assessments, particularly during this time of increased uncertainty and change:
- We pride ourselves on being a supportive community, where we can demonstrate care for each other; assessments give structure to stress conversations.
- Like all employers, we have a legal duty, reflected in our policies, to protect workers from stress at work by doing workplace stress assessments and acting on them.
An important topic
Professor Sarah Parsons from the Southampton Education School recently took part in a workplace stress assessment with some of her research colleagues. They found that the structured session gave them permission to raise important issues in a safe space. The process created the time for a dedicated conversation which gave them a sense of solidarity and empathy. Colleagues shared their experiences and realised they were not alone, whilst also recognising and respecting different perspectives.
Sarah and her colleagues valued the discussion, being able to talk openly in a safe space before considering practical steps they could take to help. “It helped for people to be able to say the things that mattered to them.”
Although many of the stressors identified were not directly within teams’ control, the assessment process allows for wider cross-Faculty and University issues to be identified and escalated through further discussions and monitoring of collated data.
When asked what advice she would give to teams who aren’t sure about carrying out an assessment, Sarah recommended “Give it a go!”
How to carry out a workplace stress assessment
There is a simple 5-step process that teams can carry out for themselves:
- Reflect on your workplace environment (with guidance on aspects to consider)
- Record the frequency of stressors
- Record the impact of workplace stress
- Record actions to address workplace stress
- Take action
The Staff Wellbeing Sharepoint site provides all the guidance, information and resources you need to carry out the team assessment. This includes a 4-minute ‘how to’ video that walks you through the process and gives you a quick preview of the simple form.
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