Overseas Links and Downloads
Stress resources, research and information from organisations and individuals outside the UK
On 8 October 2004 the four main European Union social partners signed a framework agreement on work-related stress. Although the agreement is not legally binding, the organisations will have responsibility for its implementation across the EU through collective bargaining and other agreements. The bodies which concluded the agreement are the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), the Union of Industrial and Employers' Confederations in Europe (UNICE), the European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (UEAMPE) and the European Centre of Enterprises with Public Participation and Enterprises of General Economic Interest (CEEP), all of which represent trade unions and employers' organisations on a European level.
The European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions has published a very detailed report entitled "Violence, Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace" . The report examines the manner in which these issues have been studied in surveys of seven European countries.
The ILO has published a document entitled: "Draft code of practice on violence and stress at work in services: A threat to productivity and decent work". This is a superbly researched document weighing in at 71 pages, so it will take some time to download, but it will prove particularly valuable to those of us who work in the public sector.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees has published a guideline report entitled "Enough Workplace Stress:Organizing for Change". It is 51 pages long so it will take some time to download, but it contains much information and many useful features. There are two sections: Background information on workplace stress: what the problem is, what the causes are, who is affected, and what the hazards are. Actions, solutions and strategies to eliminate workplace stress and the health and safety hazards associated with stress.
This important document is published by the Occupational Safety and Health Service of the Department of Labour, New Zealand. It is freely available and can be reproduced without permission but please note that it is subject to Crown copyright. It is all the more welcome here because, as a guide to employers rather than a union document, it offers advice much sought after by managers who visit this site and who comment on the relative paucity of such information.
The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work have issued an informative two page factsheet on work-related stress in pdf format called "Factsheet 31 - Practical Advice for Workers on Tackling Work-related Stress and its Causes" which you can download from the work-stress section of their website.
It is always interesting to see how other countries approach the problem of stress and we are pleased to offer you which was compiled by the ACTU OHS Unit in October 2000.
There must be much more information freely available worldwide so please let us know!