Upper Limb Disorders HSE uses the term upper limb disorders (ULDs) instead of "repetitive strain injury" (RSI) because RSI does not cover all upper limb disorders. It is estimated that 4.1 million working days (full-day equivalent) were lost in 2001/02 through musculoskeletal disorders mainly affecting the upper limbs or neck that were caused or made worse by work. On average, each person suffering took an estimated 17.8 days off in that 12 month period. http://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/hsemsd.htm#uld What is stress? HSE defines stress as "the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them". Pressure is part and parcel of all work and helps to keep us motivated . But excessive pressure can lead to stress which undermines performance, is costly to employers and can make people ill. http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/index.htm The International Stress Management Association UK is a registered charity with a multi-disciplinary professional membership. It exists to promote sound knowledge and best practice in the prevention and reduction of human stress. It sets professional standards for the benefit of individuals and organisations using the services of its members. http://www.isma.org.uk/links.htm Advice for employees The International Stress Management Association has produced a leaflet showing how employees can work with their employers to tackle work-related stress using the Management Standards approach. The leaflet is supported by HSE, Acas, TUC and the CIPD. Click on link for leaflet in PDF format: http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/standards/index.htm An estimated two million people suffer from ill health caused by work. 18 million working days are lost each year when people take time off because work has made them ill. Employees' health costs society up to 11 billion pounds each year. (Figures based on health report 1995/96). 1 in 5 workers (5 million people) suffers high levels of stress at work (HSE). 35% of employers have set up some kind of programme to tackle stress (HSE). Research in 2001 conducted by the International Stress Management Association UK and Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance found that stress levels continue to rise in today's workforce and: one in two workers say they have experienced stress at work during the last 12 months - one in four needed time off work as a result. 62% of workers experienced an unsupportive work environment; 40% experienced deadline pressures. Stress in the workplace affects people throughout their lives, its not usually short term, over half of stressed workers are aware that stress is damaging their health. Stress lowers job satisfaction (65%) and lowers productivity (41%). Stress at work affects other major life areas: social; relationships; partners; children. One in five people suffering from stress seek professional help. 25% of the UK workforce are still working more than five days a week, 32% of these are expected to work more than the recommended maximum 48-hour working week. 61% of the people who work more than the recommended 48-hour week are not paid for the extra hours they work. 54% of men and 78% of women are not paid for overtime. [Research by VAR International, October 2001] Articles from PersonnelToday.com Britain increasingly crippled by stress - http://www.personneltoday.com/pt_news/news_daily_det.asp?liArticleID=20919 Majority of HR professionals believe stress will get worse - http://www.personneltoday.com/pt_news/news_daily_det.asp?liArticleID=20933   Office Stresses Heard about office rage? Latest research found the office is a breeding ground for petty incidents that literally drive colleagues up the wall.  From borrowing a stapler and not giving it back to leaving papers on the photocopier, hey and don't forget all those cigarette breaks so and so has while you're still slogging away. What really gets to you? So many things irritate us - thank goodness not many people turn into a full blown Mr or Ms Angry - but take cover -a recent MORI survey found people actually hit their computers in frustration (luckily only 2% actually hit the person next to them)! Who’s watching who? Open plan offices can be particularly stressful places as everyone is watching everyone else and you're all sitting too closely together.  Trying to sneak peek at the office world-wide-web, well, if you're a regular "offender" you're likely to be really getting on a colleague's nerves! Mobile Madness! Office workers can get quite mad up when colleagues’ mobile phones ring on and off all day, especially the ones with special tones, pretty understandable when you're in the middle of a conference call and a golden oldie sounds throughout the office! Rather be somewhere else!  Unpaid overtime (and even paid o/t), office gossip which can get spiteful, back-stabbing by “your friend(s)”, aggressive behaviour, bullying and not forgetting how we got there in the first place, the train was late again or you’d been stuck in a traffic jam. Is it really any wonder that current research finds that (except for the workaholics amongst us) that we’d all rather be somewhere else! We would like to recommend the following website which provides insight and  information on bullying and related issues including harassment, stress, PTSD, trauma and bullying-related suicide. www.bullyonline.org TREAT YOUR STAFF ON THAT SPECIAL DAY! CONFERENCE tiredness (& brain overload) can set in around mid-afternoon after lunch (the nodding dog syndrome!). If you want delegates to be alert combine the lunch break with either an Aromahands, Onsite Massage, Hand Reflexology, Foot Reflexology, Indian Head Massage, Reiki treatment (or any of the other therapies previously listed). Delegates usually find that a relaxing break leaves them with renewed energy to carry on throughout the rest of the day. The 'Hands-On' therapies of: Onsite Massage are highly recommended before any 'performance' event e.g. acting, speaking at meetings, conferences, committees/performance events etc.  Many highly successful celebrities use therapies before an event. Treatment breaks are carried out fully clothed with the minimum of disruption to staff - usually in an office if this is relaxing - if not a medical or rest room is preferable to get away from the  phones - a meeting room or conference rooms also ideal. Impress your clients with a multi-skilled team from Therapy at Work offering different breaks (minimum of 2 therapists).