Poster of the Month, September 2015: Attitudes to change in the workplace

WINDS OF CHANGE

When the winds of change blow, some build walls and others build windmills.

~ Chinese proverb

September's Poster of the Month is about attitudes to change.

Change happens in every workplace. New equipment, new management, new rules and new processes can all take some adjustment.

Some people adapt to change better than others. They are the ones who build windmills. They always try to see the benefits and embrace them. 

Others can find it more difficult, especially if they have done their job the same way for a long time. For them, the prospect of change can be very unsettling. They may not understand why it is necessary and they may worry that they won't be able to cope with it.

They sometimes become the ones who build walls — resisting the change, digging their heels in, being unsupportive and sometimes even sabotaging its progress.

The best way of instigating change is to involve your employees before the changes take place. They are likely to be more accepting if you:

• tell them what is going to happen and how it will affect them
• explain why it needs to happen, focusing on the benefits
• invite, and respond to, their questions and concerns
• offer the support and reassurances they need

Kodiak posters regularly cover change, attitude and flexibility.

If you need posters on these subjects, we have a wide range available via our sales team.

For more information, please call us on 01530 456 000 or visit our website: www.kodiak.co.uk

Tackling absenteeism

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According to the Office for National Statistics, 131 million days were lost due to sickness absences in the UK in 2013. This figure is down from 178 million days in 1993, but still represents a significant problem to UK employers.

While minor illnesses were the most common reason given for sickness absence, back, neck and muscle pain accounted for more lost days than any other cause.

How absenteeism is affecting your organisation

• Increased costs due to administration, wages paid to absent employees and high costs of paying overtime or hiring temporary staff.

• Possible safety issues caused by temporary and less experienced staff coming in at short notice and having to work quickly to catch up.

• Reduced quality / productivity due to provisional staffing measures i.e. less experienced temporary staff or overworked regular staff.

• Managers diverted from their regular duties to attend to staffing problems.

• Low morale where other employees are called upon to pick up the slack.

Sickness absence is just one reason for absenteeism

There are other reasons your employees may be unexpectedly absent from work. 

Some examples include employees who:

• take holidays without booking the time off first
• are being bullied or harassed at work
• are experiencing work-related stress
• have to take care of sick children or relatives
• have low motivation and take "sickies"
• call in sick to attend job interviews

How do you manage your employee sick days?

Tackling absenteeism can be a challenge and the ways of managing sick days can also be problematic. 

Some employers offer paid sick leave, but this system is open to abuse. Without a doctor's note it can be difficult to determine if an employee is genuinely ill.

Some employers offer a set number of paid sick days to be used as needed throughout the year. However, under this system, employees may see their sick days as days owed and take them whether or not they genuinely need to.

Some employers take a harder line and offer Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) only. The problem with this system is that employees who are genuinely ill are put in a position where they are likely to lose money and may feel pressure to work through their illness or return to work sooner than they really should.

In the case of employees with contagious conditions, such as flu or gastro viruses, this risks spreading germs to colleagues. It is also particularly hazardous in food manufacturing or catering environments where germs can be transferred to food and potentially infect a larger number of people.

Getting to the root of the problem

Another way of tackling the problem is to look at the root causes, as described above.

This approach might involve:

• regularly reminding employees to book time off for their holidays
• tackling issues like bullying and harassment by encouraging open communications, offering support to victims and reiterating to perpetrators that this behaviour will not be tolerated and could have serious consequences
• offering advice on managing heavy workloads, time pressures and stress; and encouraging employees to speak out if they are struggling
• looking at ways to improve employee motivation by encouraging a strong teamwork ethic and making your employees feel their contributions are valued 
• trying to retain valued staff by offering more training and/or opportunities
• reminding employees that their company and colleagues rely on them

Kodiak's poster subscription service regularly addresses all of these issues

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If you would like to try a more pro-active approach to managing absenteeism, our posters could help. 

For more information visit: www.kodiak.co.uk 

Or call us on: 01530 456 000

How are money worries affecting your employees?

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Last month a report from the Scottish Provident Financial Safety Net revealed that 18 million Britons are stressed due to financial insecurity. 49% of those with no savings say they are 'stressed' or 'very stressed', as do the 47% who cannot afford to put money aside for their savings.

This report follows research published by Mintel last year, which revealed that money worries are the single biggest cause of stress for for 40% of us.

The rising cost of living has left many households feeling the squeeze — and making lifestyle changes and different purchasing decisions, to compensate.

It is well-accepted that a successful work-life balance can improve a person's performance at work. But what happens when the stress of having to manage with less money at home becomes a preoccupation that spills over into work?

In this blog I have referred to a number of areas where the personal and professional lives of your employees cross over. For example, personal issues such as smoking, healthy living, sleep deprivation, work-related stress and basic hygiene all affect the wellbeing of your employees and have an impact on your business.

Preoccupations with money worries or debt are similar. They can cause your employees to become distracted and lose focus on their work, which can be bad for your business. This is one reason why we also include these topics in our workplace poster programme. 

As our poster programme is seasonal, we can tackle these issues as they arise, or on a seasonal basis. The subjects we have covered so far include:

• summer offers and discounts;
• household budgeting;
• dealing with debt;
• winter energy savings;
• fuel economy;
• online shopping safety;
• reducing food waste; and
• budgeting for Christmas. 

If you would like to find out more about how our posters can help your employees to save money and reduce stress please get in touch.

For daily tips on dealing with common workplace issues, why not follow us on Twitter.

If you would like to find out how Kodiak posters 
can help your business work smoother, smarter 
and safer, please call us on: 01530 456 000 
or email us.

Tackling aggression and violence in the workplace

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Updated October 2014 

It seems everywhere I have been lately there have been notices about violence. They're in the hospital, in the Post Office, on the bus and even in some shops.

The HSE defines work-related violence as:

Any incident in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work.

According to statistics from the British Crime Survey in 2012/13 there were 649,000 incidents of work-related violence. 

Assaults accounted for 332,000 of these, while 317,000 involved threats to victims.

More than half of the assaults resulted in physical injury and 3,697 of these resulted in at least seven days' absence from work.

Work-related violence and stress related absence

Of course it is not just injuries that result in employees being absent from work. Work-related violence is also a major cause of stress, which itself can be debilitating.

Frontline workers in healthcare, and protective services like the police, are identified as most at risk. The risks are also high for lone workers and those who come into contact with the general public. For example:

• anyone who drives for work could be exposed to incidents of road rage;
• lone drivers who deliver to their recipients' homes; and
• bus drivers who have contact with the public on a daily basis – sometimes late at night.

Internal conflicts may also lead to issues if unresolved workplace frustrations or personality clashes reach boiling point.

So what else can be done to combat the problem?

Continue to raise awareness
Make sure your employees understand exactly what violence is, what might cause it and how to recognise it. Identifying early warning signs, such as irrational behaviour, and reacting accordingly could help to prevent an incident.

Give practical advice
Consider everything your employees might need to know. From understanding the risks and using preventative techniques, to taking evasive action and following correct procedures in the aftermath of an incident.

For example, using the right tone of voice and body language can sometimes be instrumental in defusing potentially violent situations.

Address internal problems
Everyday conflicts and frustrations can become destructive over time, or in the heat of the moment. For some employees, knowing when to walk away from a situation and take five could avert an incident they may later regret.

Also consider security risks, such as expired or missing lightbulbs, broken fencing or piles of debris, which may provide a hiding place for would-be thieves.

Take a proactive approach by encouraging employees to report issues or take preventative action. It may help to nip a problem in the bud and stop it from evolving into something serious.

Install additional security measures
CCTV, alarm systems, panic buttons, two-way radios and extra locks are just some of the security measures available to safeguard your employees.

Encourage employees to report incidentsThis can be difficult, but if an incident of violence goes unreported, you may never know that you have a problem.

Be aware that incidents may be difficult to talk about – approach the subject sensitively and be prepared to offer further support should it be required.

Kodiak's workplace posters frequently addresses the subjects of anger, violence and personal security in the workplace. Our posters can help you communicate positively to potential victims and potential perpetrators.

If you would like more information on how our posters can help you tackle the threat of violence in your workplace, please contact us.

For daily tips on dealing with common workplace issues, why not follow us on Twitter.

If you would like to find out how Kodiak posters 
can help your business work smoother, smarter 
and safer, please call us on: 01530 456 000 
or email 

Work-related stress: Five things every employer should know

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Experts say we all need some pressure at work. It can be a positive and motivating force – even exciting with the thrill of the deadline and the camaraderie of the team. But if the pressure becomes excessive, that's when stress can creep in.

So what are the five things every employer should know?

1. The scale of the problem
Around half a million UK workers say they have suffered from some form of work-related stress. The estimated cost to Great Britain is £530 million and around 14 million lost working days each year.

The problem is widespread and appears to be growing. The HSE reports that the number of people suffering from work-related stress has more than doubled since 1990. (Source)

2. The causes of work-related stress
Stress manifests itself in different ways and is not attributable to a single cause as it often depends on the person. They may feel:

• overwhelmed by the demands of their job;
• stifled by having no control over the way they work;
• isolated and without enough support or information;
• uninformed about upcoming changes;
• unsettled if their role and responsibilities are not clearly defined; or
• intimdated or humiliated by bullying behaviour.

3. How work-related stress can affect your employees

In the short-term stress can cause feelings of anxiety and negativity coupled with poor memory and confusion.

Repeated exposure to stress over a longer period may result in physical symptoms, such as headaches, increased blood pressure/heart rate, muscle tension and upset stomachs.

In the long term these symptoms can become worse and even develop into more serious conditions such as depression, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Rather than seeking help from their employer or GP, those experiencing stress often resort to smoking, drinking or comfort eating, which puts an even bigger strain on their health.

4. How work-related stress can affect your business
For starters, employees under stress may exhibit poor performance at work. They may be less productive and more prone to making mistakes. Over time this may start to impact on your quality, service or customers.

Research shows that groups of employees under stress are more prone to disputes, grievances and general unrest.

More worryingly, stress can cause disturbed sleep, which can be very dangerous, especially if the employee is a driver or operates heavy machinery.

According to Bupa, work-related stress is one of the main causes of sick leave in the UK, with one in six working adults claiming to have suffered from it. Empoyees off sick causes extra stress and pressure for those employees who are left to pick up the slack.

Rather than seeking help from their employer, the employee may just decide to look for another job. This could mean that the time, effort and expense taken to recruit and train the person could all go to waste.

5. How you can tackle work-related stress

Educate your employees 
Explain the difference between positive pressure and negative stress. Make sure they are aware of the symptoms i.e. what is normal and what they should be concerned about.

Encourage them to talk to someone
In the first instance they should talk to a supervisor or manager about the problem. This is a vital first step in getting to the root of the issue and resolving it.

Give practical advice
Are they approaching the task in the best way and with the right attitude? Are they overcomplicating a task or making extra work for themselves? Would they benefit from further training? Are they taking care of their health (getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, keeping hydrated etc)

Kodiak's motivational poster programme regularly covers stress and the issues surrounding it to educate and advise your employees.

To find out more about how Kodiak's posters can help you manage stress in your workplace, please contact us.

For daily tips on dealing with common workplace issues, why not follow us on Twitter.

If you would like to find out how Kodiak posters 
can help your business work smoother, smarter 
and safer, please call us on: 01530 456 000 
or email us.

Workplace conflict: Dealing with conflict at work

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Every workplace is made up of different people who are put together based, primarily, on their ability to do a job. It is perhaps inevitable that they do not always see eye to eye and that there are disagreements and differences of opinion between them.

So why does conflict arise?

Poor communication is one of the key problems. It can arise when colleagues fail to pass on messages, deliver wrong messages or withhold vital information. As communication is a two-way process, it can also occur when colleagues fail to listen to each other.

Poor interpersonal skills mean that some people are less able to express themselves clearly or negotiate effectively. This can lead to frustration, which ultimately causes conflict.

Personality clashes arise when, for whatever reason, two people simply do not get on. Where there is an underlying tension, conflicts and disagreements can tend to happen more easily.

Divided interests. For example, if one person has the task of reducing costs and another is committed to quality there could be disputes over timing, materials or staff.

Lack of resources can cause stress and frustration. For example, not having enough equipment to go around, or having to make do with outdated or inefficient systems.

Low morale may leave some people feeling undervalued or taken for granted. 

Most disputes are dealt with satisfactorily. However, unresolved conflict can be disastrous, resulting in staff developing bad attitudes, refusing to cooperate, not caring about quality and not contributing sufficiently to meet deadlines and targets.

How can we deal with conflict constructively?

Be open-minded. You might have the wrong end of the stick or be barking up the wrong tree. Wait until you have all the facts before you make your case.

Be respectful. Treat everyone as you would wish to be treated. Be calm, courteous and professional – do not raise your voice or use bad language.

Communicate effectively. Make your point assertively and rationally. Allow everyone else to voice their opinions and listen carefully to what they have to say.

Empathise. Try to put yourself in the other person's shoes and understand his/her point of view.

Focus on solutions. How do you want the situation to be resolved? Is there a solution that would suit everyone?

Be prepared to compromise. If there isn't an ideal solution to the problem, you may need to be more flexible.

Keep it professional. Focus on problems – not people – and put personal feelings aside.

Kodiak's workplace poster programme regularly deals with conflict at work and associated issues such as:

• Attitude
• Teamwork
• Assertiveness
• Morale
• Respect in the workplace
• Good communication
• Professional conduct

If you would like to find out more about how our posterscan help you address conflict and other issues in your workplace, please get in touch.

For daily tips on dealing with common workplace issues, why not follow us on Twitter

If you would like to find out how Kodiak posters 
can help your business work smoother, smarter 
and safer, please call us on: 01530 456 000 
or email us

Sleep deprivation: Wake up to the dangers of not getting enough sleep

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Updated October 2014

Tiredness and driving, or operating machinery, don't mix. 

Tiredness is a major cause of accidents at work and falling asleep at the wheel is the cause of around one in five motorway accidents.

The recommended amount of sleep for adults is eight hours out of every 24, yet many people still attempt to get by on five or six hours, which is simply not enough.

But it's not just about the amount of sleep you have, it's also about the quality. Stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine and alcohol can disturb your sleep and prevent you from being fully rested when you wake up.

Snoring is another sign of sleep disturbance, and could be a symptom of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). This condition causes sufferers to stop breathing for several seconds every minute and can interrupt sleep hundreds of times a night.

You may not realise it at first, but every time you go without a full eight hours' sleep you are building up a sleep debt and, like any debt, it will start to catch up with you. In cases of extreme tiredness people begin to experience short, involuntary naps called micro-sleeps. Though they only last seconds, if you are operating a machine or at the wheel of a vehicle, they can kill.

To get the best night's sleep:

• keep to a regular bed time;
• ensure your bedroom is cool, dark and quiet – try ear plugs and/or an eye mask if it helps;
• avoid stimulants; such as caffeine, nicotine and alcohol; and large or spicy meals; and
• try taking a warm bath or having a warm milky drink before bed.

During the day it is important to avoid heavy meals, drink plenty of water and have fresh air breaks when you can.

Sleep deprivation is an issue that is covered regularly in Kodiak's workplace poster programme.

If you would like to educate your employees on the dangers of sleep deprivation and how to make sure they get a good night's sleep, why not get in touch with us. We may have just the right poster for you.

For daily tips on dealing with common workplace issues, why not follow us on Twitter.

If you would like to find out how Kodiak posters 
can help your business work smoother, smarter 
and safer, please call us on: 01530 456 000 
or email us.