Workplace stress can manifest itself in many ways.  People can become anxious, worried and feel as though they have little or no control over their own life.

  It can change sleep patterns, affect appetite and eventually even result in people becoming depressed, argumentative, overtired and forgetful.  It can cause a person to become distracted which, in turn, can cause accidents.  Inevitably, workplace stress, if left unresolved, can impact one’s home life and create serious mental and/or physical health concerns.

A number of Telecommunications Workers Union (TWU) members have stated that, for a variety of reasons and causes, they are under stress at work.  In an effort to get a more accurate picture of how widespread the problem may be, the Solidarity Committee has placed a survey regarding this issue on the TWU website (www.twu-stt.ca/phpQ/fillsurvey.php?sid=3).  Regardless of whether or not you suffer from workplace stress, we would ask that as many members as possible please take the time to fill out this important survey.  Once you have participated in the survey, we would also ask that you forward it to other TWU members in the TELUS bargaining unit.

Despite the fact that this problem affects several aspects of our society, new policies and practices that might help alleviate it are not always readily implemented.  It is a complex issue but one that needs to be addressed, even though it may require changes to people’s attitudes and perceptions.

We thank you in advance for your interest and cooperation and will report our findings to Executive Council once the survey has run its course and the results can be tabulated.