Some people feel that stress is an everyday part of life. Indeed a certain amount of pressure can be an effective motivator, but too much stress is not good for us as individuals or as part of an organisation.

AOP provides services to organisations and individuals in relation to stress. For individuals please see the page on coaching.

AOP has been working in partnership with Abermed Ltd (Occupational Health Provider) to provide even more comprehensive services for individuals and organisations in relation to stress.

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) defines stress as:

"the adverse reaction a person has to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed upon them"

Stress or pressure can be an effective motivator, but only to a certain extent and in certain ways.

Certain situations, however, will usually cause a stress reaction. These 'factors' are at the heart of a new HSE management standard which has also been endorsed by ACAS.

The standard is divided into six sections or factors. This file is available for download here.

Why do anything about stress?

The HSE has produced a three fold case for undertaking an evaluation of stress:

The Business Case: Reduced productivity, Reduced employee commitment,Staff turnover (training costs, etc.), Customer satisfaction and Potential litigation!

The Moral Case: Stress leads to Depression/Anxiety, Heart Disease, Back pain. Headaches, Cancer, Gastrointestinal disorders

The Legal Case: Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 – Duty of Care, Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 – Assessment of Risk (Regulation 3); Apply the Principles of Prevention to Protect Health (Regulation 4).

Aberdeen Organisational Psychology Ltd (AOP) can tell you where your organisation is in relation to each of the factors and provide recommendations for action to take to fully meet the standard. The cost of this starts from as little as £5 per employee (depending on the size of organisation).

A sample of the questionnaire and report is available here.

Stress Awareness Training

AOP also provides Stress Management and Awareness Training. This can be tailored for managers so that they can recognise stress in others and provide appropriate support or it can be tailored to employees to help them understand and cope with stress effects.

Initial consultations are free and carry no obligation so to find out more call or e-mail today to arrange an appointment.

(c) 2007 Aberdeen Organisational Psychology Ltd. Registered in Scotland Co No SC245859

Registered Address: Amicable House, 252 Union Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1TN (UK)