Tackling Stress

Many members contact us because they are having difficulty coping with work demands.  The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) classifies teaching as the most stressful occupation and we know that stress is cited as the number one reason for teachers to leave the profession.  Stress is a major cause of both mental and physical illness amongst teachers and is thought to be the predominant reason for teacher absence from work.  Stress is not only  major cause of distress and illness it is a major drain on school budgets.

So, you might expect the reduction of stress to be a priority for schools.  Health and Safety legislation requires all employers to assess workplace hazards that may cause illness and stress certainly falls into this category.

The NUT surveyed all Nottingham head teachers in July 2010 to see which schools had carried out a Stress Risk Assessment (SRA).  Not only was the response to our survey very low, but only one school was able to provide evidence of having carried out a SRA.

As a result of Nottingham NUT representations to Nottingham City Council new guidance has been issued to schools on how to tackle stress.  This ‘Stress Toolkit’ was launched at the Heath and Safety Conference on 22nd March. We very much welcome the new guidance which you is available to Nottingham City Schools via the intranet here - Other schools who wish to make use of the toolkit should contact David Thompson Mail: DavidM.Thompson@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Some schools are better at dealing with stress than others, but ‘healthy’ schools have leaders who take tackling stress seriously.

Schools should find out what causes stress for employees and seek to remove or reduce these stress hazards.  This cannot be achieved without consulting all employees to establish a clear action plan that will be effective in stress reduction. This process must also be subject to periodic review (at least once a year).

If you are worried that you may be suffering as a result of work stress what can you do?

• Remember you are not unusual or alone.  Tens of thousands of teachers are suffering as a result of work stress.
• Don’t keep your feelings to yourself.  As a first step discuss these with family and/or a trusted friends or colleagues.
• You may wish to seek some expert support. Contact the Union for an initial confidential chat with a local officer who will be able to advise you.  You can also contact the Teacher Support Network who provide free on-line and telephone help.
• If you know other colleagues who are also experiencing problems there are things that you can do collectively.  A union officer will be able to provide advice and guidance on how to encourage your head teacher to tackle stress.
• If you think you are becoming ill as a result of work stress, look at the NUT advice Keeping Happy & Healthy
• Don’t hesitate to visit your GP if you are worried about symptoms you are experiencing. Most GPs are well aware of the stress under which many teachers are working.  Most teachers who develop serious illness as a result of stress leave it too late to seek help.

Useful Links:

• Nottingham City - Stress Toolkit - (link to the Nottingham Schools Intranet)
• NUT Stress Briefing
• http://teachermentalhealth.org.uk/
• Nottingham NUT Report “Crazy About Work”
• HSE Advice on Stress