Unsupported work related changes-effects on the employee

Case study- "Work-related stress in a 43 year old male local authority employee. Earlier this year all of his department were advised that they had to reapply for their posts, and he was retained but on a temporary contract in a different location. Surgery for keratoconus in 1992 left him sensitive to bright light and with difficulties driving at night. In his previous post the workstation had been adapted to meet his visual requirements and the location had meant he had little night driving in wintertime. Requests to his new line manager for occupational health input in view of his medical condition were declined. Over a period of a few weeks he developed sleeping difficulties and felt exhausted. He found it difficult to concentrate at work and was noted to be increasingly irritable at home. When initially seen he had a tachycardia and raised blood pressure. He was signed off work and on review after two weeks was feeling much better and his pulse and BP had returned to normal. After a further two weeks he was able to return to work with occupational health input. A constructive meeting with senior management took place and it was arranged for him to return to his original location and duties under new line management, with all adjustments to be undertaken and checked before his return. Job insecurity, insensitive management and low personal “control” are some of the factors involved in work related stress. A change in behaviour can often be the presenting symptom of stress. The abnormal physiological response associated with stress can be reversible on dealing with the background issues. He had always found his work to be enjoyable and is doing so once more."