Good management practice means taking a proactive approach, rather than waiting for a problem to arise. The three basic elements of this approach are:
- Increase awareness and understanding - ensure managers and supervisors recognise signs of stress and know what to do about them;
- Avoid and minimise stress — review job design, organisation and management style, review contact and communication with people, encourage personal development and provide support; and
- Help people to cope - build up their coping skills, tell them about sources of help and make sure they have access to these sources.
Monitor and review
Monitoring the way your strategies are working, reviewing their success and re-appraising risks should be a continuing process.
Take special care during critical episodes for the company, such as redundancy, restructuring, change of ownership or relocation, when staff are likely to feel worried about their role or prospects.
Communication
Communication is important at all levels. Make sure that supervisors feel they can communicate easily and effectively with the employees, so that they are able to pick up any problems that might be causing stress at home or at work.
Personality and circumstance combine to make certain people more vulnerable to stress. Are those with a previous history of mental illness at greater risk? Not necessarily; in fact their experience may make them better able to cope in the future. However, as you cannot be sure how anyone will react, you should take particular care over someone who has already suffered illness through stress.