I’ve posted a few things about redundancy on this blog. The current economic client is unfortunately making it quite a relevant topic. Another major side-effect of the financial crisis is that many organisations are restructuring; this isn’t just leading to redundancy, but it also means that many individuals have had their job changed. This may involve them taking on more responsibility or an entirely different role.
This can prove equally as stressful as redundancy, if not more so. This has been brought to the media’s attention most dramatically by the company France Telecom. Recently 24 of their employees committed suicide – some in the workplace and others attributed taking their lives to management practice and restructuring (click here to read more about this case). Of course this is an extreme example but it highlights the seriousness of the issue and how stress at work can spiral out of control.
A recent article in The Telegraph discusses how the economic client is increasingly putting pressure on individuals to take additional responsibility or take on a role at work that they do not want to: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/tracycorrigan/6313304/Congratulations-you-didnt-get-the-job.html
This leads employees to feel out of control of their situation. Dramatic changes in the work place also cause a significant amount of stress and anxiety. Below I have compiled some sources that help individuals to deal with stress and change.
The World Mental Health Foundation’s website offers useful tips on handling stress in the workplace: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/wmhd/
They also recommend publications and podcasts that might be useful to you.
The Samaritans offer a 24 hour help line for those who would like to talk to an impartial listener: http://www.samaritans.org/
The 4th of November is National Stress Awareness Day – so it’s a great time to start thinking about tackling stress at working.
Here are some sites with stress busting tips:
How to Cope with Pressure:
http://c2careers.wordpress.com/2009/05/15/are-you-stressed-out/
Top tips to reduce stress at work:
http://www.realbusiness.co.uk/news/employment/5703861/top-tips-to-reduce-stress-at-work.thtml
How Staying Logged on all day can ease stress levels:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1219919/How-staying-logged-day-ease-stress-levels.html
Mental Health: Taking Care of Each Other at Work:
http://www.straightgoods.ca/Utilities/CheckCookies.cfm?RefPage=/2009/ViewFeature.cfm?Ref=499
Finally, taking your career into your own hands may help you to feel more in control. You could re-train or take an evening course in order to re-skill. Apply for different jobs. Whilst it may not be an idea time to job hunt, there are still opportunities out there.