A Study into Perceived Stress in the Workplace.DOCVIP

An Evaluation of Perceived Work-Related Stress in Employees of Local Authority Enforced Small/Medium Sized Businesses in the Western Health and Social Services Board Area Western Group Environmental Health Action Research Grant May 2005 Completed by Fiona Douglas Acknowledgements The author wishes to thank the following people who contributed to the carrying out of this research and who made it possible for the following report to be prepared; All the businesses, employers/managers and employees who took the time to complete and return the questionnaires. Four student Environmental Health Officers, on placement with Councils in Fermanagh, Strabane, Omagh and Derry, for their assistance in contacting the businesses before and after the surveys and for the efficient way in which they carried out their work. They are Rebecca Gibson, Gemma Ward, Maria McCrystal and Mark Robinson. The Health and Safety Officers and the secretarial support in the five District Councils in the West for the provision of the initial data obtained from the premises database. The Group and District Environmental Health administrative staff of Omagh District Council for their assistance in the collation and despatch of the large number of questionnaires. The Western Investing for Health Partnership Adulthood Sub-group for the financial assistance towards the research. Mr Barny Heywood (Western Group Chief Environmental Health Officer) for his guidance in the initial proposal of the research. Mr Gerry Harte (Chief Environmental Health Officer), Omagh District Council, for his support and encouragement throughout this research. Contents Page No. Acknowledgements 2 Contents 3 Figures Tables 4 1.0 Executive Summary 5 2.0 Introduction 7 3.0 Background 7 3.1 Definition of Stress 9 3.2 Symptoms of Work related Stress 10 3.3 Legal Aspects 10 3.4 Area Pr