This document discusses stress in the workplace and managing change. It provides information on what stress is, common reactions to stress, and pressure points that can cause stress for employees. The document focuses on a library project that involved significant changes and the stress this caused for the library team. It describes strategies used to manage stress during the project, such as communicating openly, building trust, delegating tasks, and maintaining a work-life balance. The key lessons learned are not to panic, accept things outside your control, and maintain a sense of humor.

1. Under pressure Managing stress in the workplace to improve performance Jacky Berry BMA Librarian 19 June 2008

2. What is stress? A condition or feeling experienced when a person perceives that demands exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilize

3. It’s a feeling……………

4. It’s a feeling………….

5. Reaction to stress

6. Reaction to stress

7. Reaction to stress

8. Reaction to stress

9. Reaction to stress

10. Reaction to stress

11. Reaction to stress

12. Individual exercise Assess your stress level

13. BMA Library project STRESS

14. BMA Library Unique collection of videos, books and journals which supports: The clinical practice, research and professional development of members and institutional members The educational needs of student members The research activities of all departments in the Professional Division and other departments in the BMA The work of the BMJ and BMJ knowledge Through: Expert enquiry service and helpdesk Access to e-journals and e-books Customised research Reading room with high speed internet access and Wi-Fi

15. The Project brief Project commenced in March 2006 for 1 year Really 11 months! 3 years dabbling! Do we need the service? Is it value for money? Is the Library future-proofed? What are the costs? Can we save money? Analyse what was on offer and decide Get rid of Outsource Outsource/keep some services Keep as is

16. The Project Brief If to be kept What would it look like? What resources would be needed? How many staff would be required? Relocate the main Library and integrate the Staff Library Relocate the archive store Install a new Library management system Restructure Library team

17. Lots of change

18. Change is Messy!!!!

19. Change is Unstructured

20. Change is Continuous

21. And stressful……………

22. Pressure points for the Library team Fear of change Losing their jobs Organisation/hierarchy not understanding their roles Feeling loss of others Lack of self esteem More workload, responsibility Fear of doing a bad job cf appraisals Deliver against timescales

23. Pressure points for Library team Moving to open plan office Being exposed New ways of working New technology Working alongside a new management style Out of control

24. Dealing with change curve Based on Sanders work with individuals suffering from bereavement (Dr Catherine M Sanders, 1990s)

25. My stress issues Emotional intelligence – understand your own stress points as well as others Revert to type under pressure Maintain a work life balance People who change the goal posts People who don’t move with you Pride in getting the job done – can I do this!!!! Being accepted by the Library team

26. My stress issues Sense of hysteria

27. Stress strategy Communicate, communicate, communicate Build an open, honest culture/environment Meetings where all were involved Bug list Motivate team by using their skills and experience Raise the profile of the team and Library services Work in small bite size chunks Build respect/trust amongst team Delegate

28. Learning points Don’t panic, keep calm It is just a job Things will look different tomorrow Accept things you cannot change Say “No” when appropriate You can only do as much as you can do Laugh loads

29. But most of all……………….

30. And………………………..