Business Mentality

There are a number of things you may be able to do to help members of staff who are stressed:

• Talk to them, be sympathetic about the individual's circumstances and find out what they might find helpful.
• Offer formal adjustments and support, including temporary reductions to contracted hours, authorising leave days at short notice, short-term alteration or lightening of duties.
• Be alert to signs of distress and be willing to broach this with the individual, encouraging them to seek medical or therapeutic support.
• Use standard flexibilities of the job, including flexitime, time off in lieu and the option to work at home on occasion.

Encourage stressed staff to visit their GP

If you are concerned about the well being of a member of your staff who is feeling stressed always advise them to see their GP.

GPs provide talking therapies such as counselling or Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) which is recommended by NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) for anxiety and depression. If there is a waiting list to be seen consider funding CBT or counselling through an occupational health provider.

GPs can also provide medication that can help with conditions such as anxiety, depression and insomnia. People with more serious mental health problems can be referred to specialist mental health services.

Staff not registered with a GP should be advised to visit http://www.nhs.uk/ and enter their postcode to find local GPs accepting new patients.

The longer an employee is off sick the less likely they are to return to work, so keep in regular contact as this has been shown to promote recovery and an early return to work. You could send get well cards, invite them in for an office lunch or social occasion and check if they would like to be kept up to date by receiving company newsletters.

Ensure that the return to work is handled sensitively with adequate support and information regarding any important work missed