Branch will work in partnership with council Health and Safety team to address stress at work

Susan Kennedy

Aberdeenshire UNISON's stress survey shows that many members are struggling with increased workloads, deadlines and time pressures and worry about job security.

Assistant Secretary, Susan Kennedy met with Aberdeenshire Council's Health and Safety team on 6th November to discuss these findings and to agree a way forward.

See the full report on the website

Susan said, "Although our findings did not reflect the findings from the council's own stress survey, they are keen to work in partnership with UNISON to raise awareness of stress within the workplace, to address common factors and to put preventative measures in place."

She added that the council had already noted increased levels of absence through stress related illness and a new Attendance Management Policy is in its early stages to address this.

The council is also reviewing its Stress policy and has just begun consulting with the unions on this. UNISON's report will now go to the next Management Meeting and to the Occupational Health Steering Group.

Susan added, "The Health and Safety team at the council has said that they would be keen to work in partnership with our Branch Health and Safety Officers to address stress at work issues and would like to see co-ordination toward the stress policy used for the follow up survey next year."

Susan and Steve Gray, who, along with Richard Lawrence, Health and Safety Officer, initiated the stress survey, will now meet Branch Health and Safety officers to agree a way forward with the council.