To evaluate and analyse stress factors within your organisation, Soma can conduct an on-site organisational stress audit with approximately 25 % of your workforce.  The audit is available either on-line or via paper format and measures potential exposure to a variety of common workplace stressors, focusing particularly on organisational commitment, physical health and psychological well-being.

In addition, the audit can be adapted to target and compare certain factors within your organisation such as job title, age or department.

From this assessment, Soma will then provide you with a comprehensive organisational stress report, detailing results together with recommendations of how to improve the working environment, both from an organisational and physical health perspective.


Many line managers are confused and fearful about engaging with a person who is experiencing ill health, especially stress and mental illness.  They worry they will say the wrong thing or that they will open a 'can of worms' that they have neither the time nor experience to handle.  Such fear and lack of knowledge is often the source of stigma and discrimination.  By raising company awareness of ill health and, in particular, stress and its effects on the individual, the team and the business, organisations can tackle head on the once taboo world of ‘stress’.

Who should attend?
Anyone who is responsible for looking after people’s welfare at work.

Course overviews (depending on duration of training event)

• What do we mean by ill health - stress and mental health problems?
• What does the law say?
• Spotting when an individual has a problem – physical and behavioural
• The health implications / symptoms (physical/emotional/behavioural)
• Causes of stress (internal/external)
• Effects of stress (on self/others/organisation)
• Monitoring stress (boredom to burnout)
• The dynamics of workplace stress
• Understanding patterns of absence

• Creating an appropriate environment for support
• Managing an employee who becomes tearful and upset
• Recognising when professional/clinical help is needed
• Communicating with colleagues
• Use of questions to probe for relevant information
• Active listening (paraphrasing, summarising, empathising)
• What is counselling/what is not
• Professional responsibility
• Self awareness and personal prejudices

• Supporting an employee who is off sick
• What to do if the person requests no contact
• Factors to consider in planning the return
• Managing reactions from colleagues and clients
• What happens if the return to work is not successful
• Managing an on-going illness at work

• Applying techniques to reduce the effects of ill health - stress
• Using positive language
• Communication – behavioural styles
• Time Management
• Diet and Exercise
• Relaxation (techniques & tips)

Training methods may include:

• coaching of theoretical concepts/philosophies
• case studies/role play
• tutor led group discussions/analysis
• handouts/exercises
• relating theories to practical situations