AXA Union News

HSE stress audit pilot enters second phase

The results of the first phase of the stress audit pilot undertaken in Carlisle, Coventry, Glasgow, Ipswich and Newcastle has been received back from the HSE. Amicus and AXA have been making a series of presentations to staff and management at these locations as the audit pilot moves into the second phase.

The response rate to the HSE questionnaire was very good around at 60 to 80% at all sites apart from Coventry which was only 21%. The reason(s) for the low response in Coventry is being investigated so to ensure the 2007 review receives a response rate similar to other sites.

The results provided some interesting information for both the union and management, with staff in certain locations highlighting bullying as an issue that had not been identified previously. Also, whilst Management support scored fractionally below the national average, feedback from management scored much lower.

Phase two of the audit process has seen the creation of staff and management focus groups at the pilot sites to work on action plans to deal with the problem areas ("stressors") identified by the initial questionnaire and investigate best practice in dealing with work-related stress.

This phase should be completed by the end of August and the national steering group will meet in early September to analyse the feedback from the focus groups.

9th August 2006

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