Notts-based call centre Domestic and General (D&G) is helping its employees to make their working lives as stress-free as possible, by hosting a series of stress management workshops. 

D&G is well known for being a caring employer, both locally and nationally, and the company has reaffirmed its commitment to its staff by offering a number of free workshops aimed at combating stress and promoting well-being in the workplace.

Team leaders have already taken part in stress management workshops and the feedback has been so positive that D&G is now cascading the initiative down to include contact centre agents.

Tracy Burrell, HR manager at D&G, said: "Stress is a word we hear more and more often these days and the side effects can really cause problems for employees and employers alike. The workshops are really helping our staff to address, and even avoid, issues that can trigger stress and we are already noticing a reduction in the number of sick days being taken."

The workshops, which are being delivered by Ingeus, cover topics including back, neck and posture education, work/life balance, managing moods and dealing with negative comments and situations.

D&G has always placed great emphasis on wellness.  In June 2008 the company launched an initiative called 'Wellness Wednesday's' to promote healthy eating, cholesterol and general health awareness. Events have included a pedometer challenge, a Nintendo Wii challenge and 'food in moderation' days aimed at promoting a healthy mind, healthy living, healthy food and healthy activities.

Tracy added:  "At D&G, we want the working day to be both happy and healthy. We offer free fruit every Monday to all staff and we have free chilled water vending machines throughout the call centre to encourage people to drink water and improve their metabolism and concentration.  We also offer discounted healthcare and holistic therapy."

Alongside the workshops, employees are also being offered the chance to get involved in Ingeus's 'Work Survival Programme'. The initiative helps individuals to improve their own health management and offers one to one support from qualified healthcare professionals which culminate in the creation of a personal plan aimed at helping the individual work more effectively.

Chris Hanbury, engagement consultant at Ingeus, said: "D&G has been working really hard to endorse healthy living and improve the mental and physical wellbeing of its employees. All the mangers and members of the HR team I have spoken to have expressed a genuine desire to develop a happy health workforce.  

"The workshops we have delivered have been well received. They are designed to provide employees with good practical coping strategies to deal with issues they face on a daily basis. The feedback we have received shows the workshops are helping employees improve health and wellbeing whilst, at the same time, increasing motivation to work."