Dangerous levels of stress need new solutions

The recession has set up dangerous new levels of work related stress, for which many organisations may be unprepared according to the International Stress Management Association (ISMA). In this climate there are companies being forced into making redundancies in almost all industry areas, leading to excessive pressure on the remaining individuals, and unseen levels of stress related absences in the UK. Now, more than ever, HR staff need the necessary stress management skills to help them fulfil their role.

The warning signs have been evident for a while and only now are people starting to realise the destructive pattern of stress in the workplace and the damage this can do to a business. A recent study has shown that we are working more hours than ever before, with one in five employees blaming pressure from bosses, or the fear of looking bad in front of colleagues for the longer days. Carey Cooper CBE, President of ISMA and professor of Organisational Psychology at Lancaster University states, “People are turning up to work earlier and staying later because they’re frightened to death that they could be vulnerable to job loss.”

This year’s Annual Stress Management Conference will concentrate on work related stress; educating on best practice and discrediting industry misconceptions. Organised by ISMA, the leading UK professional body in stress management, the conference will provide the opportunity to learn the best methods for beating stress in the workplace from the country’s leading experts in the field.

Delegates will leave the conference with a greater understanding of the latest up to date legislation regarding work related stress and the best methods of preventing stress in business. They will receive a template of an effective Stress Management Policy that can be tailored to suit their organisation and the information to enable the practical application of ideas.

This year’s Annual Stress Management Conference will be held at the Institute of Child Health in Central London, on Tuesday 29th June 2010. For further information or to book a place please visit www.ismaconference.com.