Workplace Stress on the Increaseand We're Taking it Home

Preliminary UK results of an international business stress survey conducted by aggression and stress management specialists, Protectics Limited, indicate that workplace stress may be on the increase. Two thirds of respondents believe their individual stress levels have increased or remained static over the past three years, with only 32% reporting a reduction. The survey results suggest that more than a third of British workers are stressed in their jobs, with 10% suffering from considerable stress. Whats more, 60% of those experiencing stress say they feel the effects at work and at home.

September 7, 2004 -- Preliminary UK results of an international business stress survey conducted by aggression and stress management specialists, Protectics Limited, indicate that workplace stress may be on the increase. Two thirds of respondents believe their individual stress levels have increased or remained static over the past three years, with only 32% reporting a reduction. The survey results suggest that more than a third of British workers are stressed in their jobs, with 10% suffering from considerable stress. Whats more, 60% of those experiencing stress say they feel the effects at work and at home.

Perhaps most worryingly, when asked how the feelings they experienced were manifest, an alarming 60% of people who experience some level of stress dont cope well with it. While some choose to ignore the stress they are under, 22% report some level of depression and an alarming 29% say they get aggressive.

When the respondents were asked what stresses them most at work, the majority (55%) put it down to being overworked or not having enough time. For 41% simply being listened to or treated fairly would bring their stress levels down. Employers will be pleased to learn that only a tiny 3.5% blame poor pay.

Commenting on the survey results Robert Agar-Hutton, the founder of Protectics and author of How to Deal with Verbal Aggression, said, These are worrying results for individuals and for British businesses. Some level of stress is quite normal and for some individuals it is a prerequisite however the inappropriate reactions to stress, particularly depression and aggression, lead invariably to poor business performance and can result in a crisis from which the individual concerned may not fully recover.

The ways in which people deal with stress can be categorized as non-coping strategies (getting depressed, ignoring stress, getting aggressive) and coping strategies (relaxing, stress management techniques) - 60% of people do not use coping strategies. This may well be explained by the fact that knowledge of and training in stress management techniques, in a formal business setting, is a relatively recent practice - most people have to try and cope with whatever personal resources they have.

For some, those resources are inadequate and the particularly worrying statistic is that 29% of respondents stated that they get aggressive. This is always a poor response to stress. It can actually lead to increased stress (often for others) and reduced business performance.

Aggression and violence in the workplace, either verbal or physical, is unacceptable and employees have a right to safety. Employers have a duty (both legal and moral) to provide a safe working environment but they can take heart from the fact that these are issues that can be addressed without throwing huge sums of money at the problem. Its clear that wholesale pay rises will achieve very little. What is required is a change in management practices and guidance for workers on coping with stressful situations in the workplace.

Stress is fast becoming the number one concern amongst business owners, managers, staff and Unions. However most research seems to concentrate on one industry segment and a fairly narrow geographical sample. The Protectics Stress Survey is an ongoing project to examine stress levels internationally. To date responses have been received from individuals in the following countries: The United Kingdom, Bangladesh, the United States of America, Canada, Nepal, Oman, Malaysia, Ireland, Australia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, New Zealand, France, Switzerland, Botswana, Belgium, Algeria, India, Pakistan, Vietnam and the Philippines. Although not yet statistically significant the results to date from other countries broadly mirror those from the UK.

About Protectics
Protectics was founded in 1991 by Robert Agar-Hutton who saw the need for a company that would specialise in delivering training courses in the management of anger, aggression, violence and stress.
         
A blend of intellectual, academic and physical skills is what makes Protectics' training so useful and their 'Tect' courses so interesting and enjoyable. Just like life, the courses include experience, thought and action. This ensures that the training is assimilated quickly and (far more importantly) is remembered! Too often skills learnt in a training course are forgotten by the time that they are needed. The Protectics methodology helps ensure that skills are embedded into permanent memory so that they are instantly available when required.

Survey
The survey is a live project and new respondents are encouraged to add to the results by completing the online survey at http://www.protectics.co.uk/survey

The current results, together with summary graphs, are available online at http://www.protectics.co.uk/results

How to Deal with Verbal Aggression - a book by Protectics founder Robert Agar-Hutton, is available online at http://www.protectics.co.uk/book and an eBook version at http://www.verbalaggression.com/

Protectics Training Courses
STect
Stress Management - 2 day course
Increased performance and improved profitability are just two of the benefits that can be achieved if you can manage your work more smoothly. You can survive and thrive under all the pressures of business life.

LTect
Living with the Pressure of Work - 1 day course
Sometimes, organisational culture or individual preconceptions makes the topic of 'Stress' or 'Stress management training' difficult to accept. Protectics have developed a one day course which covers the basics of stress management in a non-threatening manner.

VTect
Dealing with Verbal Aggression - 1 day course
If you deal with verbal aggression either on the telephone or 'Face to Face' then this course will help you. It was developed during August 1999 at the request of Medway Council and has been running successfully ever since on a regular basis. The course explains what causes verbal aggression and teaches a variety of effective and easy ways to deal with it.

PTect
Dealing with Physical Aggression - 1 day course
In some occupations, no matter how good your verbal skills, violence is still a possibility! 'Dealing with Physical Aggression', teaches awareness and physical Self Preservation and Self Defence skills. These skills allow you to deal with dangerous situations in a safe and legal manner.

BTect
Breakaway Training - Half and 1 day courses
Carers and their clients sometimes come into conflict. Learn how to maintain your safety whilst also protecting your client.

ATect
Anger Management - 2 day course
Large organisations or those with high staff throughput (like training agencies) may have a number of people each year who would like be able to deal with their anger more efficiently. The course allows your organisation to have trained coaches who can work through the ATect programme with these people.

ITect
Individual Safety Workshop - 1 day course
Originally designed for presentation to the 'general public' as part of a Local Council's Safety Open Day these one or two hour workshops cover a variety of personal safety issues and can be presented to virtually any audience.

Contact Information
Robert Agar-Hutton
Protectics Limited
Telephone: 01582 400111
Fax: 01582 731948
Email: e-mail protected from spam bots
URL: http://www.protectics.co.uk/

Press office services from www.yourpressoffice.com
###