As an employer, we have a legal responsibility to assess the risk of workârelated stress and to put appropriate measures in place when those risks are significant.
An individual Stress Risk Assessment should be carried out when there is clear indication that stress is affecting an employee’s wellbeing or ability to work. This may be triggered by a referral from HR or Occupational Health, following sickness absence related to stress, or when an employee formally states that they are experiencing stress at work.
During change management processes it is also important to undertake a stress risk assessment for your team as a whole, it is best practice to complete a team stress risk assessment at least once a year.
- What You Can Do
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- Have open and honest communication with your line manager or HR if that feels more comfortable.
- Seek advice and support from your GP and/or Occupational health.
- Access university support services.
- Use Stress Management Tools to help understand your stress and to help with discussions, sometimes mapping things out visually can help break it down, try using the Workload Mapping Tool.
- Use the Covey's Circle of Control.pdf in discussions to get support to identify and categorise your worries and help them feel more manageable.
- Complete an Wellness Action Plans (WAP) Template to share and discuss with your support, how you and your manager can help keep you well at work.
- What Your Line Manager Can Do
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Best practise is to proactively complete a stress risk assessment and action plan for your team at least once a year or when there has been changes within the team - this can be referred to and adapted as situations arise to support both manager and employees to manage stress.
Stress risk assessment can also be completed at an individual level for members of staff who may be particularly vulnerable and require additional support or those who have identified work-related stress as a significant problem for them.
- If you suspect or know that stress is a significant risk conduct a Stress Risk Assessment and Action PlanStress Risk Assessment and Action Plan. This will enable you to identify stressors and put in place appropriate plan to address them. Agree a review period and follow-up meeting.
- If an individual is known or suspected to be suffering from significant stress, whether they are absent as a result or not, it is likely that an individual stress risk assessment will be required. In these circumstances a referral to Occupational Health for advice is also recommended.
If you have particular concerns relating to stress and require additional support or advice please contact your HR Partner.
- University Resources
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University Policies
- Policy on the Management of Work Related Stress
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy
- Change Management Policy
- Dignity at Work and Study -Bullying, Harassment & Discrimination Policy
- Flexible Working Procedure
Useful Webpages
- Local Health and Safety | StaffNet | The University of Aberdeen
- Support Services | StaffNet | The University of Aberdeen
- Employee Wellbeing | StaffNet | The University of Aberdeen
- How To Support Your Wellbeing | StaffNet | The University of Aberdeen
- Wellbeing Resources and Training | StaffNet | The University of Aberdeen
As a manager if you have not already attended the Stress Risk Assessment Workshop and would like training, guidance or support in completing a stress risk assessment you can contact your HR Partner or the Health and Safety Team.