DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL STRESS MANAGEMENT POLICY

Transcription

1 DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL STRESS MANAGEMENT POLICY Policy Date: July 2008 Page 1 of 7 Policy: Stress Management Policy Reviewed 2011 Next Review Date: 2013

2 STRESS MANAGEMENT POLICY Date Reviewed 2011 Policy Dated: July 2008 Formal Review Date: 2013 Policy Type: Approval: Authors: Reviewing Author: Corporate Health Safety and Wellbeing Policy Health Safety and Wellbeing Board Fiona Prew & Greg Philips Margaret Bullock Key Contact: Liz Masters Lead Occupational Health Adviser Telephone: E mail: Liz.Masters@devon.gov.uk Sponsor: Associated Policies: And Guidance Dr Phil Norrey, Chief Executive Paul Jones, Head of Human Resources HS0052 Stress Guidance Note DCC Acceptable Behaviour Policy Managing Sickness Absence Equality & Diversity Page 2 of 7

3 DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL STRESS MANAGEMENT POLICY CONTENTS 1. Policy Statement Page 4 2. Context Page 4 3. Implementation Page 4 4. Responsibilities Page 5 5. Audit, Monitor and Review Page 6 6. Equality Statement Page 6 7. Review of the Policy Page 6 8. Policy History Page 7 Page 3 of 7

4 1. POLICY STATEMENT 1.1 County Council is committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of all of its employees. We will therefore promote a positive, supportive and tolerant workplace culture that: Complies with legal requirements and best practice including guidance from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and Local Government Identifies the hazards and effectively manages the risks associated with stress in all employees employed by County Council Enables managers to address issues raised by staff and anyone who has the potential to be affected by work related stress Fully supports the active participation of staff representation by recognised Trade Unions in managing work related stress Sees the provision of information and appropriate training as a core element Enables managers and staff to carry out stress risk assessments that are accurate, understandable, and meaningful Manages identified risks with solutions that are reasonably practicable 1.2 The successful implementation of this policy can only be achieved by cooperative effort at all levels within the organisation. 1.3 This policy should be read in conjunction with HS0052 Stress Guidance Note which details the arrangements to be followed. 2. CONTEXT 2.1 The Health and Safety Executive s (HSE) guidance on managing work related stress, The Management Standards requires employers to make reasonable adjustments in order to minimise the impact of work related stress (Appendix 1.0). The DCC risk assessment tool is based upon the six key areas of work that form the management standards. 2.2 In addition employees have a responsibility for taking reasonable care of their own health and safety, and that of others who may be affected by what they do, or omit to do, and complying with safe systems of work. 3. IMPLEMENTATION 3.1 This policy applies to all s within County Council and may be supplemented by service level procedures which set out specific detail relating to service needs. 3.2 The full implementation of the management standards will be delivered throughout the council in a phased programme. Page 4 of 7

5 3.3 The management standards that form part of this policy will be used to monitor service practices via an audit process. 3.4 s should ensure that those with responsibilities under this policy: Are trained to an appropriate level Have access to competent advice and support Have access to the resources necessary to meet the issues identified with this policy and the associated implementation plan requirements Have sufficient time allocated to carry out the necessary tasks associated with this policy 4. RESPONSIBILITIES 4.1 The Chief Executive, Strategic Directors and Heads of are responsible for ensuring that this policy is implemented and managed effectively in accordance with the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy. 4.2 The Health, Safety and Wellbeing Board are responsible for the development of this policy and for monitoring its implementation. 4.3 Managers and supervisors at all levels are directly responsible for ensuring this policy is known and acted upon. This accountability cannot be discharged by delegation. 4.4 A key responsibility of managers and employees is to carry out a stress risk assessment. The essential elements of such an assessment are: Identification of stressors or potential stressors Identification of people at risk Evaluation of the risk Removal, reduction and protection from the risk Record the findings of the assessment and action taken Ensure an effective strategy is in place Inform, instruct and train Review the assessment 4.5 All employees must: Protect the health and safety of themselves and others at work Follow recommendations identified from the stress risk assessment Be responsible for the care of themselves and for developing and utilising personal strategies to cope with the demands placed upon them. Page 5 of 7

6 Inform their line manager if they feel that they are unable to cope with the demands placed upon them and/or are experiencing any adverse health effects which they feel are directly related to their work. Ensure that they comply with any control measures that are put in place to help manage work related stress Participate in any stress training, as agreed with their manager/supervisor 5. AUDIT, MONITOR & REVIEW 5.1 All services within County Council must be able to demonstrate compliance with this policy in accordance with the DCC Health and Safety auditing procedures. 5.2 Information provided through the audit will include: How services have reviewed existing arrangements and carried out steps for implementation where necessary How those with responsibility for employees (team managers, head teachers, etc) are fulfilling their responsibilities Identification of hot spot areas Training needs identification 6. EQUALITY STATEMENT 6.1 The Council will only commit to policies and practices which will eradicate discrimination and promote equality for all, regardless of age, gender, disability, religion and belief, race and ethnicity and sexual orientation. 6.2 This policy and related guidance has been the subject of an Equality Impact and Needs Assessment. This assessment will be integral to all future policy and guidance reviews. 7. REVIEW OF THE POLICY 7.1 The Health, Safety and Wellbeing Board will review this Policy every two years or sooner if changes are made to current legislation. Page 6 of 7

7 POLICY HISTORY Date Summary of change Contact Implementation Date July 08 Guidance element put into Health & July 08 separate document (HS0052) Safety November 2009 Sep Reformatted into DCC Policy layout and updated contacts Reviewed and reformatted to remove reference to ANT system no structural changes Reviewed and minor textual changes to reflect DCC structural change Health & Safety Health & Safety Health & Safety Nov Review Date Page 7 of 7