Staff Wellness

“Where there is unity there is always victory.”                                                              Roman author 100 BC

Introduction

We all work in one way or another.  Most of us have a part time job from an early age.  For those in the full time work force we spend at least one third of our lives working.  This is by far the largest component of our day.

Viewed in perspective, it follows that if we are to be happy, healthy and well adjusted; our work environment needs to be healthy, supportive and vital.  In this way we look forward to work and see the challenges as a test of our ability rather than a problem

Stress is very common in the work place.  It has wide-ranging effects including loss of productivity, increased absenteeism, poor performance and lack of enthusiasm.  Stress related disorders take employees away from the work place as they seek medical and allied health care.

Chronically stressed or sick staff cannot give their best.  This is detrimental to the employer and themselves.  Often this very fact will compound existing stress.  Although stress in the work place is almost unavoidable, with education, recognition, simple intervention and ongoing periodic healing; this issue can be resolved.

Imagine a work place where the energy feels good.  Where people say, “I don’t know what it is, but this place feels good.”  The staff members are happy, calm, efficient and helpful.  Staff members are like a family that looks after each other.  People care for each other, the business and the customers.  It is possible.

Results of negative work place stress

"Individually we are one drop. Together we are the ocean."                                                  Ryunosuke Sataro

As a positive influence, stress can help compel us to action; it can result in a new awareness and an exciting new perspective.  As a negative influence, it can result in feelings of distrust, rejection, anger, and depression, which in turn can lead to health problems such as headaches, upset stomach, rashes, insomnia, ulcers, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. 

 Stress in the workplace is one of the leading problems in today's hectic society.  It creates health issues resulting in lost productivity and increased absenteeism, decreased corporate profits and an increase in the number of workers compensation claims.

High-conflict work environments, heavy workloads, financial pressures, skipped lunches, meeting after meeting, and fast pace of today’s workplace is putting employees under more stress than ever.  The by-products of stress include insomnia, high blood pressure, headache and backache - an enormous drain on your employees, and increasingly damaging to the corporate bottom line. 

OHAS/ Occupational Health and Safety

  “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”                                                                                                         Maya Angelou 

Even governments are now realising the high cost of stress related illness in our society.  Legislation tabled and passed, to ensure that the health of the employees is safeguarded.  As an employer, you are in part responsible for the on going health of those in your employ.  This is a global realization, a global trend with much documented research.