Stress - Demands

Control Measures

Demands include issues like workload, working patterns, and the physical envi­ronment.

Some simple guidelines in relation to the management of work demands are outlined below. More detailed guidance in relation to possible solutions are available within the Demands Prompt Card.

DO

• Allow regular breaks, especially when the work is complex or emotionally demanding.
• Provide realistic deadlines.
• Provide adequate training and resources for doing the job.
• Design jobs that provide stimulation and opportunities for workers to use their skills.
• Provide sufficient challenge/pressure to keep staff motivated and interested in their work.
• Attend to the physical environment – take steps to reduce unwanted distraction, disturbance, noise levels, vibration, dust, etc, where possible.
• Assess the risk of physical violence and verbal abuse, and take steps to deal with it.

DON’T

• Ask people to do tasks that they are not trained to do.
• Encourage staff to take work home with them.
• Allocate more work to a person or team unless they have the resources to cope with it.
• Allow workers to ‘cope’ by working longer hours.
• Ask young people (under 18 years of age) to take on work that may be beyond their emotional maturity.

More detailed guidance in relation to possible solutions are available within the Demands Prompt Card produced by HSENI.