Management competencies for preventing and reducing stress at work

New research has been published revealing what managers need to do to prevent and reduce stress in those they manage. In interviews with nearly 400 employees and managers, and focus groups with over 50 HR professionals, participants were asked for their views on what manager behaviours are important for preventing and reducing stress at work. The emerging behaviours were grouped into themes to create a framework of 19 management competencies.

Employers can use the framework to train and develop current managers, select and assess new managers and hold managers accountable for behaving in ways that improve staff well-being. This should result in healthier organisations and help to reduce sickness absence.

The research was conducted by psychologists from Goldsmiths, University of London and Affinity Health at Work, funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and supported by the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD). Further information about the research is available as follows:

- The full research report can be downloaded from the HSE website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr553.htm

- Short guidance leaflets providing the findings of the research can be downloaded from the CIPD website: http://www.cipd.co.uk:80/subjects/health/stress/_lnmngtstrs.htm

This is the first phase of the research programme. Further research is underway to explore which of the behaviours are most important and how they impact on the health of staff over time.