Professional Skills
Understanding stress at work
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Stress at work is a hot topic in our 24/7 world. Are we all more stressed than we used to be? What should managers do to support staff showing signs of stress? Why are some more stressed than others? This course offers insights into the many factors affecting stress at work and will help managers understand the role and responsibility they have in recognising and supporting staff who are feeling stressed.
The course will be of benefit to:
- first-line managers directly responsible for others at work
- professional staff interested in or concerned about work-related stress
- senior and middle managers responsible for organisational stress management policies.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | GB009 |
| Credit points | This is a non-credit bearing course. |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
What you will study
During the course you will work at your own pace. The study materials will help you to consider the context in which stress at work occurs, and how to take action to reduce stress – both in relation to yourself and those you manage. Activities throughout enable you to relate your learning to your own work situation, and to complete a final work-based activity to improve the management of stress at whatever level in the organisation is appropriate.
By the end of the course you will be able to:
- understand how stress is defined
- demonstrate awareness of the legal requirements related to stress management in the workplace
- identify the behavioural, physical and psychological symptoms of stress
- identify a range of potential causes of stress at work
- understand the potential effect of stress on performance at work
- understand the different approaches to managing productivity and stress
- select appropriate approaches to stress in your organisation
- plan further development in managing stress in the workplace.
The strong link between course learning and your work practice creates relevant, enduring and transferable outcomes. It requires no more than 30 hours of your time in total, over whatever period suits you. But the learning is far richer than more expensive one- to three-day workshops. Register online today and start tomorrow – no need to wait!
The course features the distinctive strengths of The Open University from its years of expertise in work-based learning:
- The convenience of accessing its clearly presented and sequenced materials, activities and support whenever suits you and wherever you have access to the dedicated website – if you prefer, you can print key materials to work on them offline.
- The support of an expert learning adviser who can clarify study materials, answer questions and help you relate the course to your specific needs.
- A work-based activity helps you to connect the course to your individual and organisational context and needs. This is built up from short activities during the course, leading to a Personal Development Plan. At the end of the course you send this to the learning adviser, who provides personal feedback.
- Certification of completion from the OU for those who complete the course. You can use this to demonstrate your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activity to your employer and/or professional body. (N.B. The course does not carry academic credit points.)
Entry
Although there are no formal academic requirements to study any of our CPD courses, you are expected to have some experience in the field and the course assumes a familiarity with the subject.
For each course you can register and begin at any time during the life of the course. You can study at your own pace and submit your work-based activity at any date before the final submission date for the course. Information about the final submission date is available when you register for the course.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The study materials are delivered wholly online. Learners who use screen readers or who cannot use a mouse will not be able to access some materials or some activities without assistance. Written transcripts of the audio interviews are available on the website. If you are a new learner with the OU, make sure that you have our booklet Meeting Your Needs.
Study materials
What's included
All learning materials, exercises, study support and work-based activity are delivered entirely online.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2005 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Learner support
Expert, confidential learner support is available when you need it from a learning adviser, who will respond to you direct within 24 hours. Other support is available via the GB009 forum, library, StudentHome website and computing helpdesk.
Work-based activity
The work-based activity for this course involves the preparation of a plan to improve the management of stress in your own workplace. Submitted at the end of the course this will allow you to reflect on your learning and how to use it in your professional work.
Professional recognition
Successful completion of the course enables us to recognise your achievement of the course learning by issuing an OU certificate, which you can use to document your commitment to continuing professional development in your personal portfolio, or to provide evidence to employers or a professional body.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | GB009 |
| Credit points | This is a non-credit bearing course. |
Study explained
- Special fee arrangements
- - the OU has relationships with many professional bodies, and as part of those relationships members may be entitled to special fee arrangements.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.
Your questions
We may have already answered it in our frequently asked questions.
Or contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90+44(0) 845 366 60 35
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