STRESS - Its the Flt Cdr's responsibility!
Can I just venture this:
I had a lecture on stress from a retired USAF Flight Surgeon at RAFCAM who explained that stress is a perfectly natural phenomena. In fact he offered that it was actually unhealthy to live without it!! Of course, everything in moderation, my lad, everything in moderation...
He also seemed to know what he was talking about - kinda strange for RAFCAM these days.
LJ
PS I am an very-slightly stressed Flt Cdr at the moment...read into that what you will; but I hope to see you all at the Cenotaph in 2035!
I had a lecture on stress from a retired USAF Flight Surgeon at RAFCAM who explained that stress is a perfectly natural phenomena. In fact he offered that it was actually unhealthy to live without it!! Of course, everything in moderation, my lad, everything in moderation...
He also seemed to know what he was talking about - kinda strange for RAFCAM these days.
LJ
PS I am an very-slightly stressed Flt Cdr at the moment...read into that what you will; but I hope to see you all at the Cenotaph in 2035!
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Stress is always with us, and we need a little in our everyday lives. True, but we don't need too much, and your "good" stress, is my excessive stress. The H&S situation on this is fairly easy, stress is a hazard, like any other hazard. A manager (in civi life. call it what uyou like in the services) is responsible for the H&S of his employees (troops...get the picture) and thus is required by law to Risk Assess the tasks being udertaken. Where a risk exists, the employer (in our case the service) must take those steps which are reasonable to reduce the risk. The steps required must be comensurate with the risk. So small risks don't need much, but big risks need lots. When you look at a task, you need resourse to complete it. This will be people, time, training, tools, equipment...and so on. If a resourse is limited, you can't always do the job safely, and that will cause stress, itself a hazard to safety. Make sure your boss knows, as resourse is allocated by your boss (or his boss)
If anything goes wrong, and you as a manager have acted responsibly, and with "due dilligence" you are not responsible for any injury to your people. The finger moves tothe person above you who did not act reasonably. This may well be the person who knows you are under resoursed, but still expects the job to be done.
If anything goes wrong, and you as a manager have acted responsibly, and with "due dilligence" you are not responsible for any injury to your people. The finger moves tothe person above you who did not act reasonably. This may well be the person who knows you are under resoursed, but still expects the job to be done.
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Tucumseh,
Was merely using civil servants as an example. Anyone Who doesnot feel empowered in their workplace may become stressed.
That is why, as a flt cdr, recognising stress in individuals and giving them time off will not relieve stress, it just postpones things for a while. Stress will only be relieved when they are empowered to change the stressful issue. If that is not possible then a flt cdr should act to address the issue, but this is the second best option because another issue will crop up and the the cycle will will occur again. Far better to empower because action is the true reliever of stress. That is why stress exists and is a natural phenomenon, without a motivating stressor then there is no reason th change anything or progress towards any new goal.
I am easily stressed at work but as soon as i take action on an issue, the stress goes away, i am one step nearer any goal, and my level of personal satisfaction is one tiny bit higher. A few days after the implementation of a solution I look backand think why on earth was i stresses about that????
I was highlighting a well-known fact that stress is often to be found in those that either cannot or will not act to change things. This is those in the workplace that have no power to change anything.
Leon J, I'm sure it is that flight doc (top geezer) who says " If you do not feel stress then you are clinically DEAD"
Was merely using civil servants as an example. Anyone Who doesnot feel empowered in their workplace may become stressed.
That is why, as a flt cdr, recognising stress in individuals and giving them time off will not relieve stress, it just postpones things for a while. Stress will only be relieved when they are empowered to change the stressful issue. If that is not possible then a flt cdr should act to address the issue, but this is the second best option because another issue will crop up and the the cycle will will occur again. Far better to empower because action is the true reliever of stress. That is why stress exists and is a natural phenomenon, without a motivating stressor then there is no reason th change anything or progress towards any new goal.
I am easily stressed at work but as soon as i take action on an issue, the stress goes away, i am one step nearer any goal, and my level of personal satisfaction is one tiny bit higher. A few days after the implementation of a solution I look backand think why on earth was i stresses about that????
I was highlighting a well-known fact that stress is often to be found in those that either cannot or will not act to change things. This is those in the workplace that have no power to change anything.
Leon J, I'm sure it is that flight doc (top geezer) who says " If you do not feel stress then you are clinically DEAD"
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Difficult thing is stress. What is OK for you might knock me for six. In an armed force we need to work under stress, but not all the time. It might be good to wind up the levels in an exercise, or important operation, but then wind them down again and let everyone relax. Trouble is, that don't seem possible these days.
OK, what to do about it.
First, stress is a work hazard, and contact with that hazard may cause accidents, and as a manager, you should Risk Assess all work place risks, including stress. To do any task, you need resource. This may be people, training. time, equipment...etc. If you don't have enough, you increase stress, and increase the risk of accident. having assessed the risk, bring the Risk Assessment to the notice of your boss. Point out what is needed. He can't then say he didn't know. Then, do the best you can. When the accident happens, you will have been seen to have acted reasonably, and with "due dilligence" and so you are off the hook. You are only liable in law if you have acted negligently.
The investigation now looks for who is responsible. This is usually the senior manager (or perhaps Station Commander in service speak) He is the person who did not give you the resource you needed, but still expected you to do the job. In civi language, he is the "Controlling Mind" and so is ultimatly responsible.
Don't let people say that Flight Commanders/SNCO i/c Flights will carry the can if an accident happens. This in H&S law is just not true. That is unless YOU have acted negligently.
The General Duties put on an employee (i.e. a member of the RAF of whatever rank) under Section 2 of the H&S at Work Act 1974 only require him to co-operate with his employer (i.e.the RAF) and to do what is reasonable to prevent his workmates doing anything dangerous. The employer on the other hand has lots of duties. Telling the workforce that THEY are reponsible is complete Bulls**t.
(Invoice for professional consultation is in the post)
OK, what to do about it.
First, stress is a work hazard, and contact with that hazard may cause accidents, and as a manager, you should Risk Assess all work place risks, including stress. To do any task, you need resource. This may be people, training. time, equipment...etc. If you don't have enough, you increase stress, and increase the risk of accident. having assessed the risk, bring the Risk Assessment to the notice of your boss. Point out what is needed. He can't then say he didn't know. Then, do the best you can. When the accident happens, you will have been seen to have acted reasonably, and with "due dilligence" and so you are off the hook. You are only liable in law if you have acted negligently.
The investigation now looks for who is responsible. This is usually the senior manager (or perhaps Station Commander in service speak) He is the person who did not give you the resource you needed, but still expected you to do the job. In civi language, he is the "Controlling Mind" and so is ultimatly responsible.
Don't let people say that Flight Commanders/SNCO i/c Flights will carry the can if an accident happens. This in H&S law is just not true. That is unless YOU have acted negligently.
The General Duties put on an employee (i.e. a member of the RAF of whatever rank) under Section 2 of the H&S at Work Act 1974 only require him to co-operate with his employer (i.e.the RAF) and to do what is reasonable to prevent his workmates doing anything dangerous. The employer on the other hand has lots of duties. Telling the workforce that THEY are reponsible is complete Bulls**t.
(Invoice for professional consultation is in the post)
Last edited by RayDarr; 2nd Feb 2006 at 22:54.
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Could be the last?
You seem a little surprised that you are responsible for something under HSE!
I would suggest you get yourself on a Health and safety course (Managing Safely, Risk Assessment etc) you'll be mortified to discover exactly what you are responsible for!
You're a "Line Manager" and therefore responsible under HSE for the "health, safety and welfare" of all those people you have authority over!!!!!!
You seem a little surprised that you are responsible for something under HSE!
I would suggest you get yourself on a Health and safety course (Managing Safely, Risk Assessment etc) you'll be mortified to discover exactly what you are responsible for!
You're a "Line Manager" and therefore responsible under HSE for the "health, safety and welfare" of all those people you have authority over!!!!!!
PPatRoN
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Originally Posted by Kim Il Jong
Stress is a natural response to a challenge. [...] The only thing that can relieve stress [...] is ACTION. [...]
The moment ANYONE takes ACTION they immediately relieve their stess[....]
The moment ANYONE takes ACTION they immediately relieve their stess[....]
adr
Thread Starter
I don't have a problem with responsibility and that is exactly why I do the job I do. In fact, unlike some I have worked for in the past, I actually want to give the best to the guys (and girls). However, It would be helpful if I was made fully aware of what I was liable for and have the correct training to deal with it; courses on HSE, Amport Hse etc are like Rocking Horse S
. And shouldn't they mandatory for an individual taking up a Flt Cdr's post?
. And shouldn't they mandatory for an individual taking up a Flt Cdr's post?
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Dont Do nothing
Dude,
some simple advice that will keep you out of the Sxxt. If you think theres a problem with one or more of your staff, use the Stn resources, report it and keep you chain of command informed....try SHSO, SMO, PMS, Sqn Cdr, ect...you become liable if you do nothing and stick you head in the sand, or indeed if you are responsible for causing the stress.....
some simple advice that will keep you out of the Sxxt. If you think theres a problem with one or more of your staff, use the Stn resources, report it and keep you chain of command informed....try SHSO, SMO, PMS, Sqn Cdr, ect...you become liable if you do nothing and stick you head in the sand, or indeed if you are responsible for causing the stress.....
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Could be the last
Yes, you're right. These courses should be mandatory for people taking up certain positions.
In the meantime, get your name down for as many courses as possible and if you know of a course going on phone them on the morning of the start of the course to see if there are any no shows.
Yes, you're right. These courses should be mandatory for people taking up certain positions.
In the meantime, get your name down for as many courses as possible and if you know of a course going on phone them on the morning of the start of the course to see if there are any no shows.
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Stress -Who's Responsible
Guys,
You are obviously not taking notice of my post. If there is a H&S problem which results in an investigation by the HSE, the junior manager.Flt Cdr is not likely to end up in the dock. The aim is to find the "Controlling Mind" This is (in industry) usually the MD or Chief Exec In the service it would be the Stn Cdr, or perhaps his boss, the AOC. You are only going to be prosecuted if your actions were negligent. All you need to do is the best you can, and have evidence (copies of memo's etc) that you have raised the problems with your superior, and have done all in your power. He/She is then in the frame NOT YOU. This applies to all peacetime risks not just stress. Just make sure you have done your job correctly, and make sure you keep copies of letters/e-mails at home so they don't mysteriously go missing just when you need them.
Your responsibility depends on your rank/grade. The lower down the tree you are, the less you are responsible. This means of course, the higher up the tree you are the more you are responsible. Ultimatly therefore the Stn Cdr is responsible for all H&S on his station. H&S responsibility cant in law be devolved down. In law, the Stn Cdr can give his staff responsibilities towards the H&S of those working in their areas, but he is always ultimatly responsible himself. Save yourself a load of worry guys. Just do the job as best you can, and make sure the problems are pushed up to where they should be.
You are obviously not taking notice of my post. If there is a H&S problem which results in an investigation by the HSE, the junior manager.Flt Cdr is not likely to end up in the dock. The aim is to find the "Controlling Mind" This is (in industry) usually the MD or Chief Exec In the service it would be the Stn Cdr, or perhaps his boss, the AOC. You are only going to be prosecuted if your actions were negligent. All you need to do is the best you can, and have evidence (copies of memo's etc) that you have raised the problems with your superior, and have done all in your power. He/She is then in the frame NOT YOU. This applies to all peacetime risks not just stress. Just make sure you have done your job correctly, and make sure you keep copies of letters/e-mails at home so they don't mysteriously go missing just when you need them.
Your responsibility depends on your rank/grade. The lower down the tree you are, the less you are responsible. This means of course, the higher up the tree you are the more you are responsible. Ultimatly therefore the Stn Cdr is responsible for all H&S on his station. H&S responsibility cant in law be devolved down. In law, the Stn Cdr can give his staff responsibilities towards the H&S of those working in their areas, but he is always ultimatly responsible himself. Save yourself a load of worry guys. Just do the job as best you can, and make sure the problems are pushed up to where they should be.
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THe more I read of this sort of thread, the more I despair of the present-day RAF. Was it not Curt LeMay, the legendary founder of SAC who, when asked whether he suffered from ulcers, shifted his cigar to the other cheek, spat, and said "I don't get ulcers - I give them!"
It is a Flight Commander's job to put pressure ("stress") on his subordinates, and it is the Squadron Commander's job to put pressure on the Flight Commanders. And so on up to CAS. If there is a weak link who cracks, replace him/her.
From what I read in this forum, people do far less flying than they did in 50s-70s, the overseas tours are much shorter, and the general conditions of service are softer. The only thing that is worse is the volume of grizzling.
I write the foregoing secure in the knowledge that I shall be in Frogland for the next week and will thus dodge most of the incoming! Cheers!
It is a Flight Commander's job to put pressure ("stress") on his subordinates, and it is the Squadron Commander's job to put pressure on the Flight Commanders. And so on up to CAS. If there is a weak link who cracks, replace him/her.
From what I read in this forum, people do far less flying than they did in 50s-70s, the overseas tours are much shorter, and the general conditions of service are softer. The only thing that is worse is the volume of grizzling.
I write the foregoing secure in the knowledge that I shall be in Frogland for the next week and will thus dodge most of the incoming! Cheers!
I'matightbastard
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Actually, I distinctly remember one of my commands when I had very serious concerns about one of my crew. Due to training requirements, I couldn't afford to cut him loose, but I also wanted to be fair if his symptoms were real. To cut a long story short, after a great deal of effort and time on my part, I found out that he wasn't actually suffering from Stress, it was merely a case of Emphasis.
