TUC and union guidance on using the HSE Stress Management Standards

The TUC guide to the Stress Management Standards is useful for negotiating an agreement. It argues that the first step for an organisation implementing the Standards is to set up a group to oversee the stress risk assessment process. This can be the existing safety committee or a group set up specifically for this purpose. There should be union involvement, but it is also important that both HR and Occupational Health specialists are on the group.

It warns that the process will probably take a long time which means that union and/or safety reps need to be given sufficient time off to deal with the additional demands.

The TUC also recommends that all members of the group receive training right from the beginning. It runs a short course programme that includes stress at work and using the Management Standards.

Unions can also do their own surveys locally to find out the levels of stress and the causes. The TUC has produced a simple Stress MOT that safety reps can use (see page 54).

The group will be responsible for introducing and implementing the Management Standards. It is important that the group has realistic time scales and that the organisation is committed to providing the resources necessary to implement the findings of the risk assessment.

The process should lead to proposals for change that must be implemented. These can include some quite uncomfortable options in some cases, such as tackling a culture of long hours or increasing staffing levels. That is why it is crucial to get commitment from the top. There is no point in starting the process if half way through management backs out because they are not prepared to fund the changes needed.

An indicator tool/questionnaire tapping into the six Management Standard areas can be found on the HSE’s website at:

www.hse.gov.uk/stress/standards/downloads.htm

This will give an idea of priority areas that may need further discussion.

Using the HSE questionnaire will allow organisations to measure how they are currently performing against the Management Standards. Data from the questionnaire can be fed into an analysis tool which is also available on the HSE website. The analysis tool can be used to indicate possible hot spots and prioritise areas for action. It also sets interim targets for the organisation to aim towards.

The questionnaire can be repeated following the implementation of practical controls, and progress to achieving the Management Standards can be measured. Safety reps can also conduct their own surveys locally to find out the levels of stress and the causes. The TUC, as well as unions including Unite and the rail and maritime RMT have produced simple ‘Stress MOTs’ that safety reps can use to find out if there is likely to be a major problem.

www.tuc.org.uk/workplace-issues/health-and-safety/stress/safety-reps-guide-hse-stress-management-standards