FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
New research by workplace expert, Acas, has found that three out of five British workers (63 per cent) feel stressed due to the rising cost of living.
Acas commissioned YouGov to ask employees in Britain about whether they feel stressed due to the rising cost of living.
The poll also found that just over a third (36%) of employees in Britain do not feel stressed.
- Very stressed – 15 per cent
- Fairly stressed – 47 per cent
- Not very stressed – 29 per cent
- Not at all stressed – 7 per cent
- Don’t know – 1 per cent
- Net stressed – 63%
- Net not stressed – 36%
Acas Chief Executive, Susan Clews, said: “The cost of living pressures are having a huge impact on many people’s lives at the moment and our poll reveals that a substantial proportion of workers are feeling stressed as a result.
“Employers that support their employee’s mental health at work will be able to spot the signs, help manage them and create an environment where staff can openly talk about anything that is causing them stress. Offering practical tips such as signposting to financial advice can also help.
“Employees should also look after their own mental health and have some coping strategies to help manage stress. Acas has advice that can help to avoid problems building up and lead to improved morale at work.”
Acas advice for employers on managing staff mental health include:
- Be approachable, available and encourage team members to talk to you if they’re having problems;
- Keep in regular contact with your team to check how they are coping;
- Respect confidentiality and be calm, patient, supportive and reassuring if a staff member wants to have a chat about their mental health;
- Clearly communicate the internal and external support available to staff; and
- Look after your own mental health and get support if you feel under more pressure than usual. This support could be a colleague at work, a mental health network or a counsellor.
- Consider offering practical help such as providing pointers to sources of financial advice or bringing advice providers into work.
Acas advice for workers to support their own mental health and wellbeing include:
- Talk to people you work with or friends about how you’re feeling;
- Speak to your manager about how you’re doing and your situation;
- Reflect on what helps you feel more positive and what does not;
- Make time for activities you enjoy; and
- Check with your employer on what support is available at work.
For the full Acas advice click here.
With the current economic crisis resulting in higher prices and more of a squeeze on resources, FMs need to ensure that they have robust building and maintenance services in place to control costs and reduce the need for emergency repairs. When it comes to drainage and plumbing there are also the challenges of dealing with extreme weather, from droughts to flooding, the need to meet stringent regulations and to avoid causing environmental damage.
UK drainage specialist, Metro Rod, has launched a survey which explores the main areas of interest for FMs in maintaining drainage and plumbing, including how they currently assess their supply chains to ensure they’re working with partners that meet the highest possible standards and provide value for money.
The results will be published online so that you can see how you compare to others within the sector.
The survey should take just 5-10 minutes of your time, and as a thank you, you will be entered into a prize draw, where one lucky winner will be picked at random to receive a £100 Amazon voucher.
To take part click here.
