Brief description:
Engaging workplaces in the mental health agenda can be difficult, particularly with small and medium workplaces (SME’s).
In 2009 PMA linked with partners to come up with a new way of bringing mental health to the attention of SME employers.
A stress management support package was offered to a group of workplaces, focusing on sickness absence and the legal requirements linked to stress in the workplace to engage local employers.
This involved pulling together a network of workplace representatives to take part in the process. The support package included training for managers and employees on how to support organisations to tackle stress within their workplaces.
Aims:
To develop a successful and cost effective model that engages hard-to-reach SME workplaces and supports them to undertake both a stress risk assessment and action plan.
What’s happening:
Seven workplaces in East Glasgow took part in the pilot project including Glasgow East’s Women’s Aid, Glasgow Easterhouse Money Advice Project (GEMAP), Glasgow Housing Association (GHA), voluntary organisation Geeza Break, and Gardeen Housing Association.
Evaluation and feedback:
An evaluation of the process found that some workplace representatives stated that they would not have carried out a stress risk assessment and training had they not been involved in this network programme. All representatives would recommend participation in such a programme to other workplaces.
A full report on the project, which was completed in 2010, is now available.
Partners:
- Positive Mental Attitudes (PMA)
- Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board’s Health at Work Team
- Glasgow East Regeneration Agency (GERA)
- Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives
