According to the Mental Health Foundation (2021) 74% of UK adults felt so stressed at some point they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope. Stress Awareness Month is an annual campaign in the UK, held since 1992 to raise awareness of the causes and cures for our modern-day stress epidemic.
What does Wellbeing mean?
Wellbeing is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as, “the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy. But wellbeing is a complex mix of physical, mental, emotional, and social health”. Wellbeing is not simply a measure of how “happy” an individual feels.
What is the Impact of Stress on Lone Workers?
Lone workers (individuals who work independently or in isolation for extended or even short periods) face unique challenges when it comes to stress management. The nature of their work can exacerbate feelings of isolation, increase job-related pressure, and heighten the risk of stress-related health issues. Common stressors for lone workers include:
- Isolation: Working alone for prolonged periods can lead to feelings of loneliness and disconnection, contributing to stress and anxiety.
- High-Risk Environments: Lone workers in high-risk industries such as construction, agriculture, or healthcare may experience heightened stress due to the inherent dangers associated with their work.
- Uncertainty: Lack of direct supervision and support can create uncertainty and feelings of vulnerability, amplifying stress levels among lone workers.
What is the Impact on Employers?
Employers of lone workers also bear responsibility for managing stress and ensuring the well–being of their employees. Failure to address stress-related issues among lone workers can have significant consequences, including:
- Decreased Productivity: Stressed employees are less productive and more prone to errors, potentially impacting the overall performance of the organisation.
- Health and Safety Risks: Unmanaged stress can compromise the health and safety of lone workers, leading to accidents, injuries, or long-term health problems.
- Legal and Financial Implications: Employers may face legal liabilities and financial penalties if they fail to provide a safe working environment for lone workers or neglect their duty of care.
- Risk Taking: Staff may take greater risks if “nobody is watching”.
How can Lone Workers be protected – ALL year round!
Employers can take proactive steps to support their lone workers and promote a culture of well-being within their business/organisation:
- Training and Education: Provide training sessions on stress management and mental health awareness specifically tailored to the needs of lone workers.
- Regular Check-ins: Schedule regular check-ins and communication channels to maintain contact with lone workers and monitor their wellbeing.
- Access to Support Services: Ensure lone workers have access to support services such as employee assistance programs (EAPs) or counselling services for additional assistance when needed.
- Risk Assessments: Conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential stressors and hazards associated with lone working arrangements and implement appropriate control measures to mitigate risks.
By prioritising the mental health and wellbeing of lone workers, employers can create a safer, healthier, and more productive work environment for all employees.
Stress Awareness Month serves as a timely reminder of the importance of addressing stress in the workplace, particularly for lone workers and their employers. By raising awareness, providing support, and implementing proactive measures, organisations can empower lone workers to manage stress effectively and thrive in their roles.
How can MyTeamSafe help?
There’s a fine balance between “care” and “intrusion” but the legal duty of care obligations should never be diluted and an organisation must remain aware, proactive and consistent about supporting all staff, and that includes Lone Workers and Home Workers.
MyTeamSafe’s awarding Lone Worker system does much more than simply protect remote staff. We also understand the difficulty organisations have monitoring wellbeing for remote staff that aren’t working in the more controlled environment on business’s premises. We help you to monitor and log staff wellbeing by setting specific questions that periodically require answering.
You can define all the questions, the range of answers, how often they appear, if they are named or anonymous as well as the opportunity to enter specific notes.
Typical questions could be:
- “How are you coping with your workload?”
- “How are you feeling?”
- “When was the last time your boss was in contact?”
- “Have you taken your screen break?”
This gives the organisation reassurance that their staff are OK and the opportunity to take suitable action if not. Employees will know that they are not forgotten just because they are work remotely. Consistently low scores will also automatically trigger a notification to relevant supervisor to act.
MyTeamSafe is a fully featured, cost-effective, lone worker safety and wellbeing solution. Why not contact us today to set up a free trial and experience the value and benefits for yourself! Email blog@myteamsafe.com to get started.
MyTeamSafe® is an award-winning lone-worker App & proud supporter of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust