"Stress and Mental Health Issues At Work" Motion 95(2012)

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Letter to Branches




No. 101/13
Ref P1
Date: 19 February 2013

To: All Branches
 
Dear Colleagues,

 
"Stress and Mental Health Issues At Work" Motion 95(2012) -  CWU General Conference Motions - HS&E Section  

Motion 95(2012) carried at CWU Conference in 2012 read as follows:-

This conference instructs the incoming national Health and Safety team to undertake the following based on the rise in stress and mental health issues in all CWU workplaces.
 
We are moving into times of reduced incomes, unemployment and greater workplace demands from employers. In light of this situation the CWU must safeguard our members Health and Safety/Health and Well being in these workplaces given the changes in job demands, workloads and job requirements. The HSE has a '6 point Management Standards' that covers the main principle points that if followed correctly, can reduce workplace stress and mental health issues in these workplaces. Stress is now the second biggest reason for sickness in the workplace and costs company's millions per year in lost revenue. Many of our members are also affected by these increased pressures long term which sometimes lead to more complex mental health problems. The CWU has to act now and embark on a plan of educating employers in the area of members Health
and Well being in work and through all means available at their disposal.
 


The following proposals below are being suggested to move this plan in a positive direction for CWU members at the conference.
 
·         Write to all CEO's in each line of business seeking buy in to the plan
·         Ratify all existing buy in from CEO's in joint statement with CWU
·         Send out a CWU stress survey via an LTB to branches covering all appropriate companies with CWU members
·         Design a PowerPoint presentation based on 'The HSE Management Standards' that would be delivered by nominated safety individuals in each region, to   
          management teams within each company section
·         Send the PowerPoint copy on an LTB  to branches that could be shared via e mail, printed for members use or displayed on workplace notice boards
·         The survey and PowerPoint must be suitable to read for members with dyslexia
·         Liaise with all relevant internal committees in the future proofing of this plan if necessary
·         The national Health and Safety team to set about implementing this plan directly after the close of general conference 2012
·         The actions in the plan would be delivered in full and plan implemented via LTB communications by August 31st 2012
 
This list is not exhaustive and can be amended to suit each company where we have CWU members.
North West Regional Safety Forum
 
The Health, Safety & Environment Department has worked on the terms of this Motion since the closing of Annual Conference in 2012.
 
We approached our main employers and the TUC and Health and Safety Executive and we continue to work with all of these on the issue of stress.
 
Following our representations to the HSE they informed us that they were publishing a new Line Manager Competency Indicator Tool based on their 6 point management standards. See following link:
 
http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/standards/ ... ortool.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
The Health, Safety & Environment Department sent to all Branches the information on this new tool as part of LTB 627/12 (copy attached) issued on 20th August 2012. The LTB contains links to the roles of Trade Union Reps and there are videos of case studies. See following link:
 
http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/roles/tradeunions.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
A Power Point Presentation is also included in the links from the LTB and is at the following link:
 
http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/pdfs/stand ... ach.ppt#22" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
In our discussions with BT, Royal Mail, Santander and Telefonica O2 UK we confirmed that their existing policies are based on the HSE’s 6 point management standards.
 
In addition the Department compiled Stress Surveys based on the HSE 6 point management standards for members in a number of companies which were given to the T&FS Executive to run the surveys.
 
The results are as follows:
 
Virgin Media
The results indicate there is a serious problem of workplace stress in Virgin Media call centres. Based on
the survey results, Virgin Media is rated 'urgent action needed' in five out of seven areas identified by the
Health & Safety Executive as the main risk factors for workplace stress.
94% of respondents have to work very intensively
37% can never decide when to take a break
53% said there is friction or anger between colleagues
Everything Everywhere
The survey results suggest that workplace stress is a serious problem in EE. For example: Based on the
results, EE is rated 'urgent action needed' in all seven areas identified by the Health & Safety Executive
as the main risk factors for workplace stress.
98% of respondents have to work very intensively.
73% can never decide when to take a break.
65% said there is friction or anger between colleagues.
Talk Talk members have also been surveyed.

The Health, Safety & Environment Department has called for a full joint review of the Royal Mail Stress Policy.

I attach a copy of LTB 627/12 issued on 20th August 2012 which came about as a direct result on Motion 95.

The CWU Education and Training Department will be running a Mental Health Awareness Course - 9/11 Sept 2013.

Finally - the " Health and Safety Executive’s Management Standards for Work-related Stress - A guide for Safety Representatives" will be published as a separate LTB.

The National Health, Safety & Environment Officer has discussed the contents of this LTB with the movers of the Motion, the CWU North West Regional Health and Safety Forum who have expressed their satisfaction with the in-depth response and progress and concern showed by the Health, Safety & Environment Department on this subject.


Yours Sincerely



Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

[protect us]

Huh ! I had sick notes , Atos , Spoke to HELP etc etc - my stress and anxiety was brought on by the change in work load and the sudden change in management attitudes - Cwu did nothing really to help - I was let down badly ! I'm sure many others could say the same sadly ! TOO LITTLE - TOO LATE !

[fishtank]

Line Manager Competency Indicator Tool