Trauma in the workplace

Woman in deep thought with her hand across her mouth Being a victim of crime or violence, being involved in a disaster of some kind, witnessing a horrific incident (someone being killed for example) and being abused are all examples of situations that can lead to a traumatic reaction. Such situations can be devastating for the individual(s) concerned and for the people connected with them. Like loss and grief, trauma can both arise within the workplace and can be brought in by employees who, of course, cannot simply turn off their feelings when they arrive at their place of work each day. A traumatised person can encounter danger at work in two senses: (i) a work setting not attuned to their needs may make the situation worse for that person; and (ii) he or she may pose a threat to others because of their unsettled state of mind and emotional turmoil. It can therefore be a very risky strategy all round to neglect the significance of trauma in the workplace. To find out more, choose from the menu below.

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Publications by Neil Thompson to help you manage trauma situations in the workplace

Book Cover: Loss, Grief & Trauma in the Workplace

Loss, Grief & Trauma in the Workplace is a well-crafted book providing guidance on how to respond to the major challenges presented when situations of loss, grief or trauma become issues in the workplace. This book is a much-needed resource for anyone working to make the workplace a more humane and effective place.

Buy Grief & Trauma in the Workplace from The well-being Bookshop

Understanding Stress DVD

Meeting the Stress Challenge DVD

Managing Stress DVD

DVD Resources

Dealing with Stress: A 3-DVD Set (Avenue Media Solutions, 2010)

In the modern workplace it seems that stress is never far away. In the highly pressurised world we work in today there is a challenge to us all to make sure that we do not allow potentially stimulating and rewarding pressures to reach a level where they become harmful and destructive stress. Individuals and organisations that fail to take seriously the challenge of stress in the workplace are risking some very serious and harmful consequences. To help avoid the damage that stress can do and to support efforts to deal with it effectively.

Stress issues are often oversimplified, with the subtleties and complexities not properly understood. Because of this, the DVDs offer a clear understanding of what stress is all
about. Each of the three presentations draws on the expertise of leading author, Dr Neil Thompson.

DVD 1 is entitled Understanding Stress and provides an introductory overview for everyone concerned with the problem of stress. It explains the difference between pressure and stress and emphasises the need to understand the three dimensions of stress (pressures – coping – support). It also outlines the various costs to be paid for not dealing with stress.

DVD 2 is entitled Meeting the Stress Challenge and focuses on the individual’s responsibility for keeping pressures within manageable limits. It also helps learners to understand the causes of stress. As such, it provides a foundation for preventing stress.

DVD 3 is entitled Managing Stress and emphasises the manager’s role in keeping stress at bay. This covers legal and professional requirements, identifies some common pitfalls to avoid and highlights positive steps that managers can take. It provides a firm basis for effective management and positive leadership.

Each DVD is approximately 30 minutes in length and the set includes additional learning resources that can be printed out from pdf files on the DVD to offer up to two days’ training.

Order from the Avenue Media Solutions website

Working with Grief DVD

Working with Grief (Avenue Media Solutions, 2010)

This DVD has been prepared to help a wide variety of people to develop their understanding of the significance of loss and grief in the workplace and in people’s lives more broadly. It is
a 30 minute presentation that is divided into three parts.
Part One discusses the nature of grief by asking: What is grief? Part Two examines how grief affects us, the various ways in which it has an impact on people’s lives. The final part explores how we can support people are grieving. This DVD offers a sound foundation for more confident and effective approaches to situations that involve one or more people who are experiencing loss and grief.

Order from the Avenue Media Solutions website

Coping with Depression DVD

Coping with Depression (Avenue Media Solutions, 2010)

This DVD has been prepared as an aid to a wide range of professionals who may be called upon to support someone who is experiencing depression. Responding to the needs of a depressed person can be very challenging work, and, if we are not well equipped, we can make the situation worse. It is therefore important that we have a good understanding of what is involved and that is what this resource offers. The presentation is divided into four parts, covering: What is depression? What are the causes of depression? What are the effects of depression? and: How can we help?

Order from the Avenue Media Solutions website

Trauma in the workplace

Publications by Neil Thompson to help you manage trauma situations in the workplace

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