In a great example of partnership working, UNISON has been working closely with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group to run a series of stress management workshops for their staff.
The topic of reducing staff stress levels was raised at a recent meeting with the employer and Jo Rust, regional organiser, suggested UNISON’s Staying Strong workshop as a way to help to achieve this. She said “The Staying Strong workshop helps attendees to understand the impact that stress can have on them, how they can identify their personal stressors, and how to identify strategies to mitigate their effects.”
To support the running of this initiative HR have helped to publicise the sessions, and staff have been able to attend in work time. UNISON local organiser Joe Beastall, has run four sessions so far, receiving very positive feedback and has been invited back to do more in the future.
Participants, when asked if they would do anything differently as a result of attending the workshops said things like “notice when I’m getting stressed and take a short break to make a cup of tea”; “notice when others are stressed and ask if they need help with anything”.
Joe Beastall, when reflecting on the initiative said, “The workshops have been a great success and UNISON has recruited both new members and a health and safety rep from the workshops so far. Overall, these workshops have hit the nail on the head, by not only reducing stress in the workplace, but organising it in the process.”
If you are interested in running similar courses in your workplace please contact regional learning and development organiser Emily Sole