"Resilience Space" Organisation and the "Surviving Work"

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LTB 402/13 The "Resilience Space" Organisation and the "Surviving Work" Initiative:

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No. 402 /13
Ref EX10
Date: 10 June 2013


TO: All Branches

Dear Colleagues


The "Resilience Space" Organisation and the "Surviving Work" Initiative:


The "Resilience Space" Organisation and its new "Surviving Work" Initiative which is being launched this month (June 2013) was discussed at the TUC Union Health and Safety Specialists (UHSS) Committee of which I am a member and the very clear and strong message from the TUC is to have nothing to do with this organisation and its "Surviving Work" initiative which is setting up an on-line Library which is not about addressing the problem and causes of work related stress but is apparently all about toughening workers up to accept it and get on with it.


The Surviving Work Library is being set up by http://theresiliencespace.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; with a grant from "UnLtd", to develop a resource on increasing "resilience" amongst workers to help them cope with work.


"Resilience Space" have been saying that they have the support of several Unions and the TUC and that their material is going out through different unions and the TUC. This is completely untrue and no Union at the meeting of TUC UHSS Committee at Congress House was aware of any contact from them.

The TUC and all Union health and safety officers have concerns over this approach to stress and all believe that we should be removing stress and making workplaces safer rather than making workers more resilient. Unions also believe in a collective approach to these issues.

The TUC has alerted all Union health and safety officers to this initiative and suggested that they bring it to the attention of other Officers and Representatives who may be contacted by this Organisation, hence this LTB.


It is of course a matter for individual Unions as to what approach they take to this, but, from a preventative perspective there are considerable concerns which have not been subject to any debate with the TUC at all - although "Resilience Space" is falsely claiming it has 'possible' TUC endorsement.


The correct approach to addressing Work Related Stress is set out in the HSE Stress Management Standards and Guidance, the TUC/CWU Hazards at Work Manual/Safety Reps Handbook and jointly nationally agreed Stress Policies between CWU and employers.


Footnote: "UnLtd" mentioned above as providing the grant to "Resilience Space" for the "Surviving Work" Initiative: is a charitable organisation that describes itself as the leading provider of support to 'social entrepreneurs' in the UK. It resources hundreds of projects each year through its funding awards programme along with advice, networking and practical support. It states that it supports social change ventures to start up or to scale up to make it easier for those who need help to find it.


Yours sincerely




Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety and Environment Officer

[fishtank]

the very clear and strong message from the TUC is to have nothing to do with this organisation

The Resilience Space Organisation
Flat 1 Culand House Congreve Street London SE17 1ST

They're a South East London mob.