SPRING 2019 ROUND-UP Assess for stress In 2017/18, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimated 595,000 workers were suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety. It also found that 15.4 million working days were lost because of these factors. ROUND-UP nTrain staff on the job or via more formalcourses nHave and enforce policies on bullying andharassment nEnsure risk assessments for physical hazards and violence/aggression are up todate. Work-related stress, depression or anxiety is defined as a harmful reaction people have to undue pressures and demands placed on them at work. The key causes identified by the HSE were: nWorkload 44% nLack of support 14% nViolence or bullying 13% nChanges at work 8% Preventing ill health is the ultimate goal, but there are also good practice measures when it comes to getting people back to work more quickly. While staff dont want to feel pressurised into returning to work, regular, supportive contact from you during their illness can make them feel valued. Employers have a legal duty to protect workers. As with any aspect of health and safety, carrying out a risk assessment in relation to stress and acting on the findings will help address any problems. Employers should set employees achievable targets, match peoples skills and abilities to the job demands, and address any concerns about the work environment. To manage stress in the workplace, you should also: nEnsure staff know what the job involves and what the targets are nMeet with staff individually and/or as teams nAdjust work patterns to cope with demand nEnsure staff have the equipment and time to do the job Once they feel able to come back, a phased return building up their hours and duties over a week or two can also be helpful. Return-to-work interviews will highlight matters that can be overcome and prevent further absence. Something as simple as an extra 10-minute break or a new piece of equipment could save days off and lost productivity in the long run. It could also lead to a more positive working culture. For more on mental health in the workplace, read Get a head start on wellbeing in this edition of TSBN. Credit: David Elrington, regulatory services manager iStock.com / PeopleImages Animal welfare guidance from their council if they provide certain services. These include: nCaring for dogs and cats nHiring out horses nSelling animals as pets nBreeding dogs (if breeding three or more litters a year) nKeeping animals for training or exhibition. ROUND-UP Anyone with a trading income of 1,000 from April 2017 will need to be considered for a licence. The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has produced guidance notes detailing how businesses should comply with the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations. The regulations which came into force six months ago require businesses working with animals to obtain a licence To receive one, a business must meet all the minimum standards outlined in the guidance, which the Canine and Feline Sector Group has published on its website. Credit: John Harvey, Environmental Health officer iStock.com / GeorgePeters BUSINESS MATTERS Trading Standards is committed to making it easier for businesses to comply with the law and Trading Standards Business News (TSBN) is one of the ways it is doing just that. Formerly called Trading Standards News, this publication focuses on topics that are relevant to people running businesses, and aims to help them operate safely and efficiently while staying within the law. If you are viewing this edition on a web browser, you can download the TSBN app for Apple, Android and Amazon devices. AWARE OF CRIME? REPORT IT ANONYMOUSLY TO TRADING STANDARDS The level playing field that nurtures and promotes economic growth and development for businesses, locally and nationally, is maintained by Trading Standards. It partly does this by offering advice and assistance to honest and legitimate traders who request guidance on legislation, and by assisting those traders who lose their way in the world of Trading Standards and need a little help to become compliant. Where businesses choose to trade outside the law and ignore the advice and guidance given, Trading Standards tackles them by using appropriate enforcement action. A lack of willingness and cooperation to comply with trading law and any engagement in criminal activity undermines and harms legitimate trade. This inevitably leads to honest businesses being disadvantaged and having to compete against traders who offer inferior goods and services. To survive, the honest business may be forced to lower its standards or its quality of product, resulting in unsatisfied consumers. Left unchecked, this leads to a loss in consumer confidence, and has resulted in certain trade sectors being mistrusted. By working with Trading Standards, legitimate businesses that believe their sector is being damaged and undermined by unscrupulous traders, can now help focus and target Trading Standards resources, and reduce the harm being inflicted upon their profession. Those who believe their professions reputation is being damaged and undermined by illegitimate traders working outside the law, can now report people engaged in such activities via the anonymous, automated hotline 0300 303 2636, or by using the online reporting system www.centsa.org.uk/anonymous-hotline Working together to rid professions of unlawful traders will result in better reputations for these sectors, and improve consumer confidence and trust. This will, in turn, encourage growth in trade and economic development, both locally and nationally. Report foul play to create a level playing field for all. Credit: Brandon Cook For further information please contact your local Trading Standards Service