Taking a client-centred approach • 12-step self test on stress • Best practices for stress management • Trends in Canadian families and workplaces • Defining workplace stress • Numbers, stats and policies
The effects of workplace stress on employers, workers and the economy as a whole continue to mount. Disability claims for depression seem to be growing as fast, if not faster, than physical disability claims. But in many cases, there are things employers can do to help prevent this phenomenon before it gets out of hand. These sites give suggestions.
Taking a client-centred approach
www.managingstress.com/articles/webpage2.htm
This article from the Centre for Stress Management looks at the author’s experiences and concerns with workplace stress management interventions and outlines what a typical client-centred stress intervention encompasses in a seven-stage adaptable model. The author also gives tips on what to look for in stress management workshops. Although the article is more geared toward counsellsors and psychologists, employers and managers can glean some useful information from the author’s expertise and experiences.
12-step self test on stress
www.canadaone.com/magazine/eq100198.html
This article is actually part four of a five-part series on emotional intelligence and the new workplace. It uses case studies to illustrate the causes of, as well as the ways people respond to, workplace stress. It offers a 12-step self test to determine stress tolerance and impulse control levels. The author makes recommendations throughout on how to handle stressful situations both on a personal level and when dealing with stressed employees.
Best practices for stress management
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hecs-sesc/workplace/publications.htm
Health Canada’s Workplace Health Strategies Bureau offers some great information and publications on all aspects of workplace health. Under the “Best Practices/Workplace Health Research” header, there is an excellent two-part document titled “Best Advice on Stress Risk Management in the Workplace.” Clicking the link opens up the document, and offers invaluable information on organizational sources of stress, the implications and strategies employers can use to manage stress at work. An excellent resource for employers and managers.
Trends in Canadian families and workplaces
www.worklifecanada.ca
The Centre for Families Work and Well-Being is a great site for employers and employees alike. Their mission statement is to “promote individual and family well-being, responsive and productive work environments, and strong, sustainable communities.” It offers a number of excellent resources, including a publication called “Compendium 2001: 150 Canadian Statistics on Work, Family and Well-Being,” which identifies trends in Canadian families, the labour force, workplace change, child and elder care among others. Lots of good reading here.
Defining workplace stress
www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/psychosocial/stress.html
This section of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety web site answers general questions pertaining to workplace stress. It leads off with a definition of workplace stress, identifies potential causes and outlines the important differences between positive stress and stress that leads to physical or emotional upset.
Numbers, stats and policies
www.hrsdc.gc.ca
The Human Resources and Skills Development Canada site features a special section devoted to work-life balance in Canadian workplaces. Enter the site, and follow the “Human Resources” link under the Business header. Under the Labour and Workplace information header, click “Work-Life Balance and New Workplace Challenges.” This sub-site features general information, key studies, FAQs, legislation, research and statistics, publications, policies and more on a number of related topics. The key study “Voices of Canadians: Seeking Work-Life Balance” looks at how Canadian workers feel about the stress they encounter while trying to balance work and family.
Shannon Simson is Canadian HR Reporter’s resource editor. Her Web Sight column appears regularly in the CloseUp section. To share an interesting HR web site contact [email protected].
Taking a client-centred approach
www.managingstress.com/articles/webpage2.htm
This article from the Centre for Stress Management looks at the author’s experiences and concerns with workplace stress management interventions and outlines what a typical client-centred stress intervention encompasses in a seven-stage adaptable model. The author also gives tips on what to look for in stress management workshops. Although the article is more geared toward counsellsors and psychologists, employers and managers can glean some useful information from the author’s expertise and experiences.
12-step self test on stress
www.canadaone.com/magazine/eq100198.html
This article is actually part four of a five-part series on emotional intelligence and the new workplace. It uses case studies to illustrate the causes of, as well as the ways people respond to, workplace stress. It offers a 12-step self test to determine stress tolerance and impulse control levels. The author makes recommendations throughout on how to handle stressful situations both on a personal level and when dealing with stressed employees.
Best practices for stress management
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hecs-sesc/workplace/publications.htm
Health Canada’s Workplace Health Strategies Bureau offers some great information and publications on all aspects of workplace health. Under the “Best Practices/Workplace Health Research” header, there is an excellent two-part document titled “Best Advice on Stress Risk Management in the Workplace.” Clicking the link opens up the document, and offers invaluable information on organizational sources of stress, the implications and strategies employers can use to manage stress at work. An excellent resource for employers and managers.
Trends in Canadian families and workplaces
www.worklifecanada.ca
The Centre for Families Work and Well-Being is a great site for employers and employees alike. Their mission statement is to “promote individual and family well-being, responsive and productive work environments, and strong, sustainable communities.” It offers a number of excellent resources, including a publication called “Compendium 2001: 150 Canadian Statistics on Work, Family and Well-Being,” which identifies trends in Canadian families, the labour force, workplace change, child and elder care among others. Lots of good reading here.
Defining workplace stress
www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/psychosocial/stress.html
This section of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety web site answers general questions pertaining to workplace stress. It leads off with a definition of workplace stress, identifies potential causes and outlines the important differences between positive stress and stress that leads to physical or emotional upset.
Numbers, stats and policies
www.hrsdc.gc.ca
The Human Resources and Skills Development Canada site features a special section devoted to work-life balance in Canadian workplaces. Enter the site, and follow the “Human Resources” link under the Business header. Under the Labour and Workplace information header, click “Work-Life Balance and New Workplace Challenges.” This sub-site features general information, key studies, FAQs, legislation, research and statistics, publications, policies and more on a number of related topics. The key study “Voices of Canadians: Seeking Work-Life Balance” looks at how Canadian workers feel about the stress they encounter while trying to balance work and family.
Shannon Simson is Canadian HR Reporter’s resource editor. Her Web Sight column appears regularly in the CloseUp section. To share an interesting HR web site contact [email protected].
