New Business Resiliency and Stress Management in Canterbury

24 April 2012

New Business Resiliency and Stress Management Service for Canterbury Businesses

A new service has been launched to help the increasing number of Canterbury businesses that are citing stress and fatigue as major issues in the workplace.

The new service, funded by the Ministry of Economic Development, is available through Recover Canterbury, Enterprise North Canterbury and Business Mentors New Zealand. It provides resilience coaching, stress management and other support services for Canterbury business owners and their employees at no cost to the business.

Stress and fatigue is one of the key issues facing business owners and their employees. Since the beginning of March 2012, 46% of the 145 businesses that have contacted Recover Canterbury for help have listed stress and fatigue as a major business issue. That is up from 34% in the month of February.

Recover Canterbury Communications Manager Pip Tschudin says stress and mental and physical fatigue is taking a very real toll on business owners, their employees and the team environment.

“The last 18 months has been a roller coaster ride for business, and for some it’s not over yet. Combine that with the personal issues people are facing and the drastically altered physical environment we are all working in, and that makes for some very stressed people.

“This new service will enable business owners to access any individual help they need as well as resiliency coaching for their team, which will result in happier, more effective and more productive people and workplaces,” says Mrs Tschudin.

Any business is able to access the new service, which provides up to three sessions per business or individual. Delivering the service will be EAP Services and Workplace Support, which will tailor make a programme to fit each individual business’ needs. That programme could include individual coaching, team workshops or open forums on managing employee stress and conflict.

For more information about the service and how to access it businesses can contact Recover Canterbury on 0800 50 50 96 or at www.recovercanterbury.co.nz.

Business Case Study: Southern Hospitality

“There’s no doubt that our employee assistance programme is one of the reasons our team is stronger and is performing better today than it has ever done.”
Andy Doherty, CEO Southern Hospitality

Southern Hospitality instigated an employee assistance programme in April 2011, a month after the company had returned to its central Christchurch headquarters.

“We were aware that there were things bubbling away under the surface that our team needed to get out into the open. Our board were very insistent that we needed to provide our team with a channel to do that,” says Mr Doherty.

Southern Hospitality initiated an employee assistance programme for all local employees and their partners. Mr Doherty says while the decision to offer an employee assistance programme was based solely on their employees’ needs, the return on investment from a business perspective has been huge.

“We’ve always had a good team but it’s never been as strong as it is today. Those employees that were part of the employee assistance programme have gained huge value out of it and they are performing better now and at a higher level than they ever have.

“People often struggle to communicate about issues they are facing and Kiwis are probably the worst. By giving our team the opportunity to talk about these things we opened the communication channels, strengthened our people both individually and as a team and have ultimately provided our business with a strong, united platform on which to grow,” says Mr Doherty.

About Recover Canterbury

Recover Canterbury was established after the Christchurch earthquakes to accelerate business recovery and prepare businesses for future growth. It is a collaboration between the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and the Canterbury Development Corporation, along with various government agencies involved in business support.

Recover Canterbury offers a wide range of services and resources to help businesses recover and revive, including advice, training and mentoring, referrals to professional services, assistance with business issues such as raising capital and access to the financial assistance provided through the Canterbury Business Recovery Trust.

ENDS

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