Stress at Work
STRESS AND ILLNESS IN THE WORKPLACE
Research shows that stress has a negative effect on the health of over a third of the working population.
It is estimated that up to 75% of all illness is stress related.
THE EFFECTS OF STRESS:-
- Substantially reduced efficiency and accuracy of work produced
- Reduced performance in physical tasks
- Tiredness and irritability
- Weakening of the immune system and the development of physical
illness
Approximately 360 million working days are lost annually in the UK at a cost of £8 billion, and half of these absences are ‘stress related’.
Employers need to proactively address their stress management policies and programmes for reducing staff stress.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
Some countries overseas, notably Denmark, have been addressing this problem for a number of years. Their occupational health services have been working closely with employers to provide a flexible approach to the reduction of stress and work related illness. As part of this initiative, some firms now involve complementary therapists in the maintenance of well-being amongst their workforce. Reflexology has proved very popular in this field, and reflexologists are increasingly employed by companies in Denmark, with impressive results.
Odense Post Office in Denmark which has employed a full-time reflexologists since 1990 reports saving around £100,000 a year due to a 13.3% reduction in sickness levels.
HOW CAN REFLEXOLOGY BENEFIT YOUR COMPANY?
Regular reflexology treatments not only help to reduce stress and tension, but they can also speed recovery from a wide range of acute and chronic illnesses.
BENEFITS TO YOUR COMPANY CAN INCLUDE:-
Increased morale and loyalty of staff
Enhanced concentration efficiency and accuracy
Improved creativity, planning and decision making
Better relationships amongst staff
The ability to cope more effectively under pressure
Speedy recovery and return to work after illness, accident or surgery
Pain relief for stress related conditions, such as headache, migraine etc
Enhanced staff resilience to infection
Optimum care for your staff by complementing conventional medicine
Reduced sickness and absenteeism, increased productivity and financial benefits for the company are visible results. Less obvious, perhaps are the positive effects on morale amongst employees who feel they are being treated with a caring attitude
HOW CAN REFLEXOLOGY BE USED IN YOUR ORGANIATION?
The benefits of reflexology can be made available to your staff in a number of different ways.
Information made available to staff giving the benefits of the therapy; a room made available for the practioner to give information and talks.
Staff could be encouraged to attend for a course of treatment, and incentives could be offered by the organisation to enable them to attend regularly
Working times could be made flexible to accommodate day-time treatments sessions for staff who wished to participate; or treatments could take place after working hours.
A room could be made available within your premises from which the practioner can work.
Employees can be fully responsible for the cost of their own treatment or treatment can be subsidised in part or in full by the organisation.
