within an organisation, thus helping to identify sources of stress and areas of intervention for stress management and prevention programmes.4
Examples of good practice
MARKS & SPENCER
Marks & Spencer is an international retailer with 696 stores in North America, the Far East, and Europe. In the UK, Marks & Spencer employs approximately 56,000 people, over 52,000 of them in its stores. 83% of the workforce is female and 62% of these are part-time.
Strategy for Health Promotion
Marks & Spencer's strategy for overall health promotion which includes mental health is based on the following:
*Health education to raise awareness of factors affecting health and well-being.
*Screening programmes to detect risk factors or early signs of disease.
*Action programmes to address them.
The Role of the Occupational Health Service at Marks & Spencer
The Occupational Health Service works closely with personnel and line management regarding all aspects of employees' mental and physical health. The occupational health team is available to look at the effects of health on work or work on health, to discuss with staff any health problems they may have, and to promote good health through health education, screening, and action programmes. The company believes that the Occupational Health Service can play a major role in:
*Identifying work problems caused by mental ill health and taking action to improve the health of employees
*Assisting employers in modifying work and the work environment
*Enabling employees to remain at work rather than withdraw
The organisation assists in preventing mental ill health by providing a good working environment and a clearly defined job. Following absence it is often essential to be able to modify the working hours during the rehabilitation period to provide a gradual return to usual working practices through a good sick pay scheme. Financial support at this time will allay anxiety and encourage a speedier return to work.
Regular honest appraisals are important and problems in performance should be discussed at the time of occurrence, with an opportunity to follow-up and review progress. People should feel able to contribute to their development and feel accountable for the job. On site counselling facilities from personnel or health professionals are available which saves time away from work.5
THE NORTH EAST ESSEX MENTAL HEALTH TRUST
Organizational stress pilot for employees
The North East Essex Mental Health Trust employs approximately 846 people providing mental health services to a large catchment area in Britain. According to its data, stress related illnesses are responsible for 25% of all absence. To address this issue, the Trust implemented the Health Education Authority's (HEA) anti-stress pilot program, which is designed to reduce anxiety and tension within an organisation. The program was introduced at a time when the Trust was undergoing major organisational changes. As a result of the program, absenteeism due to stress-related conditions was reduced and morale improved.
