Framework for the Framework for the Control of Work- Control of Work- Related Stress.Related Stress.

Stress can be defined as:Stress can be defined as:““strain, pressure, force exerted on a body strain, pressure, force exerted on a body that tends to strain or deform its shape”that tends to strain or deform its shape”

Work-related stress can be defined as the Work-related stress can be defined as the harmfulharmful physicalphysical and and emotional emotional responsesresponses that occur when the job that occur when the job requirements of the job do not match the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources or needs of the capabilities, resources or needs of the worker.worker.

What is Stress and WRS?What is Stress and WRS?

Stress reflects a wide process of Stress reflects a wide process of interaction between a person and interaction between a person and

the environment.the environment.

Too much stressToo much stress

- more than one can cope - more than one can cope with - becomes harmful.with - becomes harmful.

A person’s reaction depends on A person’s reaction depends on how he/she perceives the event – how he/she perceives the event – what is considered stressful by what is considered stressful by one person might not be so one person might not be so considered by another.considered by another.

Many factors influence one’s Many factors influence one’s perception of events: attitudes, perception of events: attitudes, skills, personality, current skills, personality, current situation, other events in one’s situation, other events in one’s life, other people in one’s life.life, other people in one’s life.

Stress – an emerging risk Stress – an emerging risk – why?– why?

Nowadays recognised that WRS is the Nowadays recognised that WRS is the second commonest cause of work-second commonest cause of work-related health problem after back pain.related health problem after back pain.

Up to 25% of workers across Europe Up to 25% of workers across Europe complain of stress at work.complain of stress at work.

Some studies: between 50% and 60% Some studies: between 50% and 60% of all working days lost may be due to of all working days lost may be due to stress.stress.

Common causes of WRS (Europe) Common causes of WRS (Europe) (%)(%)

Latest Pan-European opinion poll Latest Pan-European opinion poll on ohson ohs

72

66

59

57

52

46

Job reorganisation or job insecurity

Hours worked or workload

Being subject to unacceptable behaviourssuch as bullying or harassment

Lack of support to fulfil your role fromcolleagues or superiors

Lack of clarity on role and responsibilities

Limited opportunity to manage own workpatterns

No problems in identifying stress or its No problems in identifying stress or its effects.effects.

But: problems finding association with But: problems finding association with work.work.

Extremely subjective matter.Extremely subjective matter.

Little recognition of work influences or Little recognition of work influences or factors that can cause stress.factors that can cause stress.

OHS Authority Act, 2000OHS Authority Act, 2000

Section 4 (2): (Declaration of principles).Section 4 (2): (Declaration of principles).

““the physical, the physical, psychologicalpsychological and and social well being of all workers in all social well being of all workers in all workplaces”.workplaces”.

No subsidiary ohs legislation in Malta.No subsidiary ohs legislation in Malta.

OHSA has developed a Maltese framework for OHSA has developed a Maltese framework for action to control stress, through which the action to control stress, through which the Maltese Social Partners declare that they:Maltese Social Partners declare that they:

signify their intent to continue signify their intent to continue raising raising awarenessawareness and understandingand understanding about the about the extent and magnitude of the problem and extent and magnitude of the problem and to to promote initiativespromote initiatives amongst stakeholders and amongst stakeholders and duty holders.duty holders.

recognise the urgent need to be recognise the urgent need to be proactiveproactive in in this field, and to this field, and to promote and ensure that are promote and ensure that are takentaken, within the limits of each party’s , within the limits of each party’s statutory role and according to the specific statutory role and according to the specific parameters of the law, those parameters of the law, those measuresmeasures indicated to be taken.indicated to be taken.

Actions by Social Actions by Social PartnersPartners

Promote a mix of collective and, or Promote a mix of collective and, or individual specific measures targeted individual specific measures targeted at identified stress factors or as part of at identified stress factors or as part of an integrated stress policy an integrated stress policy encompassing both preventive and encompassing both preventive and responsive mechanisms.responsive mechanisms.

Push forward the need for the Push forward the need for the development of company specific Work development of company specific Work Related Stress Policies, that reflect the Related Stress Policies, that reflect the needs of both the company and its needs of both the company and its employees. employees.

Educate in, provide information about, Educate in, provide information about, and train their own respective officials and train their own respective officials and representativesand representatives

Use their own resources to organise Use their own resources to organise awareness-raising activities on a awareness-raising activities on a regular basis regular basis

Promote the sharing of resources Promote the sharing of resources between enterprises so that the between enterprises so that the largest possible number of workers is largest possible number of workers is covered.covered.

Promote Risk Assessment as a tool Promote Risk Assessment as a tool that can be used at enterprise level to that can be used at enterprise level to address Work Related Stress. address Work Related Stress.

Employers shall promote the benefits of Employers shall promote the benefits of clear communication channels within clear communication channels within enterprises whilst ensuring adequate enterprises whilst ensuring adequate management support for individuals and management support for individuals and teams or groups of workers, matching teams or groups of workers, matching responsibility and control over work, responsibility and control over work, improving work organisation and processes, improving work organisation and processes, working conditions and environment.working conditions and environment.

The Social Partners agree that where the The Social Partners agree that where the required expertise inside specific work required expertise inside specific work places is insufficient, they shall discuss the places is insufficient, they shall discuss the possibility of engaging or calling upon the possibility of engaging or calling upon the services provided by competent external services provided by competent external services.services.

The Signatory Parties to this Agreement The Signatory Parties to this Agreement agree to evaluate and review the agree to evaluate and review the Agreement any time after the five years Agreement any time after the five years following the date of signature, if following the date of signature, if requested by any one of them.requested by any one of them.

The Occupational Health and Safety The Occupational Health and Safety Authority agrees to continue taking Authority agrees to continue taking initiatives to raise awareness about Work initiatives to raise awareness about Work Related Stress, and to continue its Related Stress, and to continue its cooperation with, and to provide cooperation with, and to provide assistance to the Social Partners in Malta, assistance to the Social Partners in Malta, especially by making available information especially by making available information and guidance on the subject of Work and guidance on the subject of Work Related Stress, its elimination or control.Related Stress, its elimination or control.

The document includes a ‘Model The document includes a ‘Model Policy’ which can be adapted to take Policy’ which can be adapted to take into consideration the size, economic into consideration the size, economic environment and specific environment and specific circumstances of any organisation.circumstances of any organisation.

Assigns responsibilitiesAssigns responsibilities Requires consultation with Requires consultation with

workersworkers Needs to be signed by the Needs to be signed by the

employer to show employer to show commitmentcommitment

The way forwardThe way forward

1.1. Following seminar, document issued Following seminar, document issued for public consultation.for public consultation.

2.2. Document finalised after taking into Document finalised after taking into consideration all feedback received.consideration all feedback received.

3.3. Organisation of a public ceremony Organisation of a public ceremony for signing of document.for signing of document.

4.4. Review of document 5 years after Review of document 5 years after signing.signing.