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Levels of control and work-related stress: Tip sheet 6

Levels of control and work-related stress: Tip sheet 6

Low levels of job control, where there is high work demand and low support from co-workers or supervisors, may increase the likelihood of work-related stress.

Some jobs are inherently low in control – for example call centres – but it is possible for all persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) to enhance workers’ control over their work in a number of ways.

Possible solutions

Decisions need to be made about what practical solutions (control measures) will be used in the workplace to prevent, eliminate or minimise the effect of work-related stressors on worker health.

At the organisational level, controls target the work itself and focus on job design, the work environment and on working conditions.

For the risk factor 'low levels of control', organisational level solutions address levels of self direction allowing input into decision marking, fostering consultation and communication and supervising workers appropriately.

Choice/self direction

Ideally, a worker’s tasks need to be meaningful, varied and allow for an appropriate degree of self direction.

Where possible, let workers have a say in how their own work is organised rather than imposing direction. Allow them to have input on:
- how job tasks should be completed (where the order and timing of tasks are not critical to the outcome)
- how problems should be tackled
- the pace of their work

Ensure workers have the skills required to achieve most of their goals. Where skills are lacking, discuss opportunities for development
Use performance reviews as a positive opportunity for workers to have input into the way they do their work, rather than focusing only on inadequate performance
Provide opportunities for job rotation to enable skill development and job variation

Input into decision-making

Everyone in a business or undertaking should feel they have input into their work – not just those in senior positions. There are a number of ways a PCBU can ensure everyone contributes to decision-making:

hold regular team meetings during which workers can have input into decisions that concern their work
involve workers in the allocation of responsibility for tasks within teams and in determining work objectives and anticipated outputs, roles, timeframes and resourcing
provide training to develop supportive leaders who delegate and encourage participation and welcome new ideas
encourage a participative approach to management through all of the above

Consultation and communication

Communicate with workers about how and why decisions are made. Whenever possible, seek team involvement with making these decisions
Develop and maintain a working environment in which workers are consulted and can provide feedback on changes impacting on their tasks
Develop a system that enables workers to have input into broader organisational issues (for example a suggestion scheme/box)
Know when it is appropriate to consult with workers and ensure the outcomes of a consultation process are fed back to them

Appropriate supervision

Ensure that managers are competent supervisors
Consult with workers when developing performance monitoring systems
Provide a method through which workers can review and contribute to the output of monitoring systems
Develop team-based targets which assist in building effective teams and by measuring team performance against the organisational goals
When assigning work, negotiate objective and reasonable standards to increase workers’ perceptions of ownership and fairness
Unless necessary, avoid asking workers to regularly stay after hours without prior consultation
If a decision is made to use performance monitoring systems, consult with workers when developing policies on the use of these systems

At the individual level, solutions are aimed at assisting individuals to cope or build resilience.

Appropriate activities to be considered at this level of intervention include:

corporate induction programs
access to employee assistance programs
training about resilience
health and wellbeing programs
counselling/therapy for people experiencing distress from sources both in and outside of the workplace

This tip sheet is one of 12 that refer to work-related stress.

_{This document was developed by Workplace Health & Safety QLD, Department of Justice and Attorney General worksafe.qld.gov.au}

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