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Stress and Illness in the Workplace

The Health and Safety Executive website statistics for stress and illness in the workplace can make frightening reading. It states that "work related stress is a major cause of sickness absence, high staff turnover and poor performance in organisations". They say that "1 in 5 people are stressed at work" and believe that "work-related stress accounts for over a third of all new incidences of ill health and each case of work-related stress, depression or anxiety related ill health leads to an average of 30.2 working days lost".

So it's no wonder that employers now have a legal requirement to take effective action to manage stress in the work place. It's important to remember that stress doesn't just affect those in management and executive positions, but affects staff at all levels of an organisation.

Work Related Stress - 'The adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them.' (HSE)

The workplace is never going to be a stress free environment and as such Peter Matthews, International Stress Management Association, states that companies would be well advised to have in place a 'stress management policy'.    Tackling workplace stress using reflexology can not only have an effect on reducing sickness absence but can also have a positive effect on staff performance, productivity and play a role in enhancing general vitality in the workplace.

Reflexology can form a key part of your employee Stress Management Programme or Investing in People initiative, see the following examples:

Odense Post Office in Denmark which has employed a full-time reflexologist since 1990 reports saving around £100,000 a year due to a 13.3% reduction in sickness and absenteeism.   (Source AOR)

Ishoj Municipal Health Department recorded 2,499 fewer sick hours over a 6 month period in which employees received reflexology giving a saving of £21,490.    (Source AOR)