46 . Glasgow Business February 2015


>> Continued from page 45


that they had experienced stress, anxiety or depression in the last year. Te numbers gradually decreased across older age groups, with just over one third aged 55 or older feeling the same way. Anna Spender, Head of Group


Protection Proposition from Friends Life, said: “Stress levels are clearly rising and it’s important for employers to be aware of the strain their workforce may be feeling. “Te financial cost of stress is


huge, and our research only takes into account the cost of paying people who take a day off. If you add in the lower productivity which stress can cause through presenteeism, where employees come into work when they really should be taking time off, then that figure would be even higher.” Louise Aston, Workwell Director


at Business in the Community, said: “Te costs of employers ignoring mental ill-health amongst their staff, both in terms of business performance and unnecessary suffering, are too great to ignore. “Tis research demonstrates the


damaging culture of silence that currently exists around conditions such as stress, depression and anxiety in UK workforces. People are afraid to speak out and this requires urgent action from business leaders. We need to see more organisations encourage an open-dialogue and offer proactive interventions that promote mental wellbeing, so that employees can seek the support they need without fear of stigma or reprisal.” Of course, as well as hidden


dangers in the workplace, there are potential risks in many areas of operations, some more obvious than others. Te most important approach is to make it clear that responsibility for health and safety is everyone’s responsibility in the workplace, according to Steve Ashton, Head of Health and Safety Services at business support organisation Law at Work. He said too oſten there is a mentality of “it’s not my job”. “Te problem can be that


because health and safety can be seen as ‘everyone else’s responsibility’, then many individuals assume that someone else will do something – so nothing gets done by anyone,” he said. “Te most common issue


seems to be that safety is seen as beginning and ending with the person ‘doing the job’, when, in fact, the person doing the planning for the job can oſten


“Fundamentally, safety starts with the owners and board members – they set the culture of the business”


have the biggest impact. Tis is usually someone at management level who is ‘too busy’ to think about the issues associated with the jobs they are asking subordinates to do. “Fundamentally, safety starts


with the owners and board members – they set the culture of the business and if they don’t specify performance standards required in health and safety, then it will not be seen as a priority by those working in the business.” Steve said clear communication


about the nature of the work is essential, in order not only to anticipate potential issues, but also to make a record of significant risk assessment findings.


“Many claims could be


defended if robust evidence is held about what the business has done to prevent injury – so records of training provided, records of risk assessments, records of equipment tests and maintenance need to be kept.” Businesses also need to resist


the temptation to make savings in health and safety if their budgets are under pressure. “Making cutbacks on the health


and safety of your people could come back to bite you,” said Chris Docherty, Director at FQM Ltd, a consultancy that provides training to reduce risk in the workplace. “Te risks are not only to people, the environment and


HEALTH AND SAFETY MADE SIMPLE: THE BASICS FOR YOUR BUSINESS


» Decide who will help you with your duties


» Write a health and safety policy for your business


» Control the risks in your business » Consult your employees » Provide training and information » Provide the right workplace facilities


» Make arrangements for first aid, accidents and ill health


» Display the health and safety law poster


» Get insurance for your business » Keep your business up to date


Source: Health and Safety Executive


DISCOVER HOW TO TACKLE


WORKPLACE WELLBEING Turn to pages 48-49


equipment, but also to business reputation, business longevity and potentially even personal liberty. If a serious accident happens, what is the company’s capability to defend the duty of care which must be in place? No director wishes to be in a position of weighing up the difference between being heavily fined, or sent to prison.” Chris said businesses under


increasing financial constraints can consider using highly experienced interim health and safety services where a full-time role either isn’t justified or isn’t economically viable. “Such services bring greater


value, while protecting a company’s people, the environment, its assets, its reputation and its future,” he said.


Te message is clear – whether


the dangers are visible, or hidden, neglecting health and safety in the workplace is a risk which can have a devastating impact.


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