|
9 March 2006 - London Police Anti-Stress
Initiative Success
Navigation
Following the launch and introduction of an anti-stress
initiative by the City of London Police, "Quality of Working Life" in 2003, the
results of an internal audit completed in September 2005, has shown the scheme
to be a success.
The main aims of the Quality of Working Life scheme were as
follows:
Once the identification of work-related stress was made, a
series of workplace programmes and initiatives were put in place, such as the
following:
-
The introduction of a flexible working policy.
-
Employee communication reviews.
-
Active performance management.
The internal audit results have shown benefits to the workforce
such as the following:
-
Employees now had higher levels of job satisfaction.
-
Employees now had improved commitment.
-
Employees now had improved psychological and physical health.
Carolyn Woolley, Human Resource Services Director at City of
London Police, said:
"Policing involves a great deal of pressure on a daily basis
for officers and staff.
"High levels of absenteeism, including that due to stress,
increase the pressure on all staff, which can potentially lead to a drop in
employee motivation, staff morale and, ultimately, performance."
Robertson Cooper, the company who ran the initiative, is working
with a further 15 police forces to implement the scheme.
Professor Cary Cooper, Director of Business Psychologists
Robertson Cooper said:
"Wellbeing has now become a bottom-line issue for
organisations. If they actively manage it, they can start to see the benefits."
Jan Berry, Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales,
said:
"Chief police officers need to do all they can to minimise
the impact of stress and provide support where necessary."
Representatives from 38 of the 51 UK police forces attended a
stress workshop organised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Association
of Chief Police Officers and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and
Development Police Forum in Manchester last month. The aim of the
stress workshop was to ascertain the underlying causes of stress.
Further information on work-related stress can be accessed from
the HSE webpage by clicking the following:
HSE - Work-related Stress
An HSfB news article on 1 February 2006, provides further
information on stress in the police force, with excellent links for help and
advice. Access to this article and links is available by clicking the
following:
1 February 2006 - Police Chiefs and HSE Meeting to Beat Police Stress
Article by Alexandra Johnston
 Click Here to
Email This Article To a Friend
|
