Work-related stress in nursing: Controlling the risk to health

40874 Note: Working Papers are preliminary documents circulated in a limited number of copies solely to stimulate discussion and critical comment. or in other countries with associated Reproduction Rights Organizations, may make photocopies in accordance with the licences issued to them for this purpose. The designations employed in ILO publications, which are in conformity with United Nations practice, and the presentation of material therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the International Labour Office concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers. The responsibility for opinions expressed in signed articles, studies and other contributions rests solely with their authors, and publication does not constitute an endorsement by the International Labour Office of the opinions expressed in them. Reference to names of firms and commercial products and processes does not imply their endorsement by the International Labour Office, and any failure to mention a particular firm, commercial product or process is not a sign of disapproval. ILO publications can be obtained through major booksellers or ILO local offices in many countries, or direct from ILO Publications, Catalogues or lists of new publications are available free of charge from the above address. Part 2. How to tackle stress 13 2.1. The control cycle: A practical approach 13 Background 13 Case study 13 2.2. Risk assessment 15 Step 1. Problem recognition 15 Step 2. Analysing work-related stress 18 Step 3. Estimating and evaluating the risk 26 2.3. Design of stress management strategies 29 Objectives 30 Level of control 30 Target 31 Implementation agents 32 Agency-target pairs 32 Risk assessment and subsequent strategy 36 Choice of a suitable strategy 37 2.4. Implementation 38 Implementation plan 39 2.5. Monitoring and evaluation 41 Types of monitoring 42 Zone of achievement 42 Concluding comments 43 References 45 V Preface Occupational stress can no longer be considered an occasional, personal problem to be remedied with palliatives. It is becoming an increasingly global phenomenon, affecting all categories of workers, all workplaces and all countries. This trend — coupled with its rising cost to the individual, to industry and to society as a whole — has greatly heightened awareness of the need for effective and innovative ways of tackling stress. Stress prevention at the workplace has proved particularly effective in combating stress, by attacking its roots and causes, rather than …