a survey of stress and well-being among staff in higher ... - UCU

EndnoteTackling occupational stressThis survey of occupational stress was undertaken by UCU with the intention ofgathering data leading to recommendations to inform local and national negotiations.UCU provides support at a national and local level to inform members ofthe nature of occupational stress, and of their employer’s responsibility toensure that workloads and working hours are such that employees do notexperience stress-related illness. UCU has produced a stress toolkit, which isavailable at http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=2562. The toolkit hasguidelines for UCU officers on how to deal with stress and on supportingindividual cases. There is also information of treating occupational stress as ahealth and safety issue, undertaking a risk assessment and monitoring hoursof work. UCU has also produced a model questionnaire for local use. UCU’swebsite provides links to other organisations such as the advice, aid andcounselling organisation Recourse, which is supported by UCU, and the Healthand Safety Executive. UCU also works together with employer bodies, such asthe Association of Colleges and the Universities and Colleges EmployersAssociation, to tackle this problem.36