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Newsletter Issue (43) May 2008
Welcome to May's edition of "In Equilibrium"
This month we give details of two recent additions to our course list; have an article which puts forward the Business Case for investing in Health and Wellness programmes; offer a practical stress tip; and give you a link to an interesting speech given by Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. We hope you'll find a couple of minutes to read on ...
In Equilibrium News
The Healthy Heart
We received a high interest in this course when it appeared as a pdf link in our April newsletter. So for anyone who missed it, we thought we would give you a little information about this recent addition to our course list. Dr Mason Brown believes that for a healthy heart everything is about balance. He has witnessed too many people dying from heart attacks in their thirties and forties from being workaholics rather than high-achievers. Dr Mason Brown developed this workshop not only to help people take preventative action to protect themselves from heart disease or strokes but also to learn about quality of life and how to protect and pace themselves in the current busy world.
The course details are available here http://www.in-equilibrium.co.uk/index/the-healthy-heart
Practical Approaches to Handling Pressure This is a new one-day course which is suitable for all individuals who want to increase their understanding of stress and its effects. On successful completion of the course, participants will be able to put together a personal action plan based upon the topics covered and suggested strategies.
Full course details are available here http://www.in-equilibrium.co.uk/index/practical-approaches-to-handling-pressure
In Equilibrium Partnering with Shaw Trust to provide workplace advice for line managers In Equilibrium are partnering with Shaw Trust, the national charity for disadvantaged people, in their campaign to raise awareness of mental ill health in the workplace. Shaw Trust have launched a free web resource that provides advice to line managers who work with employees with mental ill-health. The website provides advice on 'Creating a healthy workplace' and has chosen In Equilibrium to provide the stress management training for managers and employees for any organisations who need help in this area.
Visit www.tacklementalhealth.org.uk for free, practical advice.
This web resource was developed as part of Shaw Trust's 'Mental Health: The Last Workplace Taboo campaign'. This included some eye opening research into how British Industry perceives mental health in the workplace, and what employers need in order to feel able to support and retain valued employees and recruit new ones.
Stress Tip
Our tip this month encourages you to relieve some stress by breaking the odd routine. It is thought provoking rather than time consuming.
Read the tip here http://www.in-equilibrium.co.uk/index/stresstips
The Business Case for Investing in Health and Wellness Programmes
One of the objectives of Dame Carol Blacks review, Working for a Healthier Tomorrow, was to provide employers with a convincing business, evidence based, case for investing in the health and well-being of their employees. The Accountancy Firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) was appointed to build the necessary evidence base.
In this article written by our director, Alastair Taylor, the recommendations made in PwCs report, regarding how to appraise expenditure on health and wellness programmes, are challenged. He proposes an alternative strategy that HR Directors could use to convince a sceptical Board to invest in their most important asset - people.
Read the article here http://www.in-equilibrium.co.uk/index/the-business-case-for-investing-in-health-and-wellness-programmes
Websites/Resources
We found the following websites interesting:
Along with their mobile studios which can be taken to workplaces or conferences anywhere in the UK, the team’s website offers lots of ideas to get healthy in the workplace including a pedometer challenge and the opportunity to register on the site in order to receive their hints and tips for a healthier lifestyle.
Informative website run by the Department of Work and Pensions. The Age Positive campaign promotes the benefits of employing a mixed-age workforce that includes older and younger people. Due to recent research results, they are calling upon employers to look at their retirement policy and perhaps adopt a gradual step down in work by considering flexible working options in the lead up to retirement.
Stress in the News
We need a Radical Rethink around employment practices to help mentally ill at work What we know now is that even for those who do not start with a disability, work itself is increasingly the environment that triggers mental illness. Mental distress is joining conditions like back pain in becoming a modern industrial injury.
So said Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. He also called on employers to create a workplace which cultivates openness, provides support and promotes mental wellbeing.
Read the full speech he gave at the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/newsandcomment/speeches/Pages/Weneedaradicalrethinktohelpmentallyillatwork.aspx
Clinics at work cut sicknotes
According to an investigation by the London School of Economics, absenteeism in large organisations could be dramatically reduced and the UK economy could save around 1.5bn pounds a year by copying an experiment carried out by the Royal Mail.
The NAHT (National Association of Head Teachers) Work-Life Balance Survey 2007-8 The survey carried out for the NAHT by the Centre for Industrial Relations at Keele University provides substantive evidence that the workload of school leaders is increasing with significant negative consequences for the work-life balance and health of NAHT members.
http://www.naht.org.uk/themes/campaign-item-view.asp?ID=3874&sid=31
The Struggle to be a Dad
New research released by the NSPCC highlights that our culture of long working hours and pressure of work is keeping many fathers away from their children.
Amanda's Column
Guilty secrets, strikes and bumper cars - what exactly has Amanda been up to this month?
Read her column here http://www.in-equilibrium.co.uk/index/amandas-column
In Equilibrium Consultant Profile
Our final consultant to be profiled for the time being is Hansa Pankhania. Hansa is an experienced stress consultant, trainer, counsellor and psychotherapist who has been working with individuals, groups and managers in both public and private organisations for many years.
She is devoted to helping people in organisations to reduce stress levels, maximise health and potential and shows an explicit passion for her work.
Read more about Hansa Pankhania's work and career here - http://www.in-equilibrium.co.uk/index/newsletter-extras
Quotations
When anger rises, think of the consequences
Confucius, Chinese Philosopher (551 - 479BC)
I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.
Fred Allen, American Comedian (1894 - 1956)
Direct to Your Inbox
If this newsletter has been passed on to you and you would like to receive it directly in future, or if you know of someone who might be interested in receiving the next edition, please go to our website here http://www.in-equilibrium.co.uk/index/subscribe-to-our-mailing-list to complete the form.
You may also be interested in the following courses we have available:
The Healthy Heart
http://www.in-equilibrium.co.uk/index/cms-filesystem-action?file=pdf/healthy-heart.pdf
Tools and Techniques for Individuals
http://www.in-equilibrium.co.uk/index/cms-filesystem-action?file=pdf/tools-and-techniques.pdf
Practical Approaches to Handling Pressure http://www.in-equilibrium.co.uk/index/cms-filesystem-action?file=pdf/practical-approaches-to-handling-pressure.pdf
Thank you for taking the time to read our Newsletter, we would be delighted to hear from you with any feedback you would like to offer - the good, the bad but hopefully not too much of the ugly!
Dedicated to Managing Stress, Well-being and Performance Managers Managing Stress, Developing Resilience in Managers, Lifestyle Management, Tools and Techniques for Individuals, Increase your Energy, Bullying and Harassment, Managing Difficult People, Stress Risk Assessment