A SEMINAR that discussed the issue of stress in the workplace took place at the Sefton Hotel in Douglas yesterday (Wednesday).

It was run by Resolve and Orchard Recruitment.

Around 500,000 people in the UK are believed to be suffering from work-related stress or depression and they take six million days off sick every year.

The chance of individuals returning to work after six months' absence is only 50 per cent. After one year this drops to 25 per cent and after two years only five per cent return to work.

An introduction to the event was given by Dudley Butt MLC, a political member for the Department of Health.

In addition to talking about the new health strategy for the Isle of Man - which focuses on prevention and early detection - he spoke about his own experiences, in particular his time in the police force.

He said he was in the police for 39 years and in that time did not have one day off sick and has not had any time off sick as a member of Tynwald as he has enjoyed every second of his working life.

Mr Butt said depression is a significant cause of absenteeism at work and one in four people will experience mental illness in their lifetimes.

He said during his time working in CID he worked under a lot of pressure and working under pressure can help people to work better and achieve more.

But the problem comes when there is too much pressure and it can lead to stress and depression.

People may also have stress at home as well as at work but Mr Butt said it was important to try and have a happy workplace.

Rachel Shepherd of Orchard Recruitment talked about the different levels of stress.

She advised employers to take time to listen and observe how people are interacting.

Darran Kenna of Resolve said stress is a massive subject and that he himself had left a job in the past due to stress.

He said in recent years there has been a move away from sick leave towards a more proactive plan of work-based recovery and early intervention is key to keeping employees fit and motivated.

He said to effectively reduce stress preventative action should be taken when the first symptoms appear.

He suggested ways for employers to tackle stress such as carrying out a stress audit, implementing stress management training, the creation of personal counselling schemes and the setting up of a support network.