A new code of conduct could open up a new can of worms for employers next year.

An estimated 13 million working days are lost through stres related illness according to health watchdogs - thats an estimated total cost to British Industry of about £4.5 billion a year!

The proposed new Health & Safety Executives Code is intended to steer companies toward good working practices and enable employees to deal with bullying bosses.

The proposals cover six main areas:
Demands on Staff
The control people have over their working lives
Support for employees
Working relationships
Clear definitions of role and involvement of change.
Along side this, the HSE gives a model stress policy for companies and includes an audit to identify problems and devise solutions, consultation with Union officials on changes and training for managers.

Companies would be expected to provide confidential counselling for employees suffering with stress at OR AT HOME.
Companies would have to ensure that staff are not over loaded with work, do not spend too long at their posts and DO take all their holiday entitlements.

According to some studies, up to 5 million workers a day say they feel 'very' or 'extremely' stressed by their work, while half a million state that work related stress is making them physically ill.

Guide to Helath & Safety Blueprint
1. DEMANDS
The organisation must ensure at least 85% of staff are able to cope with the demands of their job. This includes limiting repetitive and boring jobs as far as possible.

2. CONTROL
The organisation must ensure at least 85% can have a say about the way they do their work. This includes some control over the pace of work and timing of breaks.

3. SUPPORT
The organisation must ensure that at least 85% of staff receive adequate information and support from their collegues and superiors. This includes confidence that managers will address concerns seriously and provide counselling services.

4. ROLE
THe organisation must ensure at least 65% of staff understand their role and responsibilities. For example, people should not be 'expected' to perform tasks outside of their agreed role, without consultation.

5. RELATIONSHIPS
The organisation must ensure that at least 65% of staff are not subject to unaccetpable beahviour, such as bullying. This includes encouraging people to be open and honest with each other and making them aware of the penalties associated with bad beahviour.

6. CHANGE
The organisation must ensure at least 65% of staff are happy that they are involved in the decision making process of change. Staff MUST be consulted, offered reasons and provided with a teimetable.

I wonder where they got the idea for this little lot then? - Admin

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