Credit Management November 2023

HR MATTERS
AUTHOR – Gareth Edwards
Stress is a fact
of life. However,
employers in a
modern world have
obligations to care
for their staff and
this covers stress.
But apart from legal
obligations, a happy
and unstressed
workforce performs
better.
The case provides a warning to employers
to not simply talk about measures, but to
make sure that that they are agreed with
the employee and implemented.
Issues with self-medication
A natural coping mechanism for an
individual under stress is to self-medicate
with drink and/or drugs. However, an
employer in this situation will need to
consider its wider responsibilities for
the safety of its workforce as a whole
and the public. If for no other reason, an
employee should not be permitted to work
under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The employer, if they knowingly allowed
it, could be considered to be vicariously
liable in the event of the employee causing
damage or injury.
The use or possession of drugs or
alcohol in the workplace by an employee
may be a disciplinary matter that will need
to be investigated and considered in line
with the employer's disciplinary process.
However, if the use of alcohol and or drugs
is related to stress the employer should
consider, alongside its other obligations,
its responsibilities to that employee and
support as necessary.
As a first step the employer should
speak with the employee discreetly. It may
be that it is appropriate for the employer
to contact the employee's GP or another
health professional. Further, employers
should have in place policies and
procedures setting out the rules around
alcohol and drugs in the workplace. This
should explain, amongst other things,
that if employees are concerned that
they are developing a dependency, they
must inform their employer in order that
appropriate support can be provided.
In summary
Stress is a fact of life. However, employers
in a modern world have obligations to care
for their staff and this covers stress. But
apart from legal obligations, a happy and
unstressed workforce performs better.
Gareth Edwards is a partner in the
employment team at VWV.
PRACTICAL SELF-HELP
Stress build up is often associated with
increased muscular tension. So, frequent
headaches and muscular tension in the
neck, shoulders, back and stomach are
commonly experienced. Occasionally
we may feel the heart beating rapidly.
Clenched hands, profuse sweating,
general restlessness with agitation,
and snappiness are the other main
symptoms.
Illnesses linked with stress build
up are well recognised. These include
anxiety, depression, eczema, psoriasis,
tension headaches, migraine attacks,
stomach ulcers and phobias. There is
also a link between stress and high blood
pressure, which is one of the factors that
may eventually lead to a heart attack or
stroke.
Stress can lead to mental confusion
with an inability to think clearly and
effectively. Memory can fail and simple
things get forgotten, trivial work chores
often take on a far greater significance
than they deserve, and things can get
blown out of all proportion. Some cannot
delegate tasks and others try to do
everything themselves.
DAILY PLAN OF ACTION
Other forms of self-help revolve
around trying to plan the day and time
management. Where possible, even
though it’s hard when on the road, take
a short break from work and take a
brisk walk. Learn how to become more
assertive to deal with people who make
unreasonable demands. Spreading the
workload and delegating jobs can help
too. But also look at diet and include a
wide range of fruit, vegetables, pasta and
brown rice.
It’s important to allow time for
relaxation. If smoking, alcohol, and lack
of sleep are a key feature of life, seek to
address this. They may relieve stress in
the short-term but won’t help in the long
run.
Some of the harmful effects of stress
can be reduced through exercise.
Exercise is an opportunity to get rid of
pent-up energy and also experience a
change of environment. The relaxation
that occurs following physical exercise
can aid sleep. Exercise that is age
appropriate and matches the general
level of fitness are more likely to be
sustained.
SOLUTIONS
There is no magic cure for stress. Some
turn to their doctor or even self-medicate
with alcohol or worse. What were once
considered to be safe medications are
now known to produce psychological
dependence and addiction and doctors
don’t prescribe freely. To an extent,
individuals should try to learn how to
recognise and manage stress and anxiety.
There are many well established
techniques for recognising and managing
stress. The best known is yoga, but
meditation, self-hypnosis, and muscular
relaxation exercises, and music therapy
can help too. The web, including
YouTube, can help with these techniques.
Brave | Curious | Resilient / www.cicm.com / November / PAGE 32